The Government is committed to helping the disabled to develop their artistic potential and seek more performance opportunities through a barrier-free environment, the Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says.

Opening the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme annual performance, Mr Cheung said involving the disabled in arts and cultural activities is an effective way to help them integrate into society.

The scheme, launched in 2003, has offered annual arts-training programmes to more than 6,000 students in special schools and more than 1,000 people with disabilities.

The theme of this year's performance was "One World, One Dream", underlining the notion that different races share the same passion and dream in the world of arts.

Mr Cheung said the performance gives trainees the opportunity to showcase their skills, demonstrating how the disabled in different age groups and with different talents can overcome their physical constraints.

"It is also a chance for us to appreciate the meaning of an inclusive society while we enjoy the performance tonight," he added.