Why this disability advocate says tokenism in workplace isn’t always a bad thing

Tsui was diagnosed with retinal degeneration at the age of three, leaving him with just 30 per cent of his vision. In kindergarten, he often felt uneasy, as his teachers were not equipped to support students with disabilities like his. Worried about being bullied or excluded because of his condition, he made an effort to fit in by mimicking the behaviour of his peers.

Fortunately, primary and secondary school offered a more welcoming environment, and he learnt to build relationships. “When you aren’t insecure, everyone will include you,” he says.

In 2008, Tsui enrolled at a local university to study economics, with aspirations of becoming an academic. However, he found he lacked support; for instance, he struggled to read notes on the blackboard during a course, but no accessible alternatives were offered.

He graduated, however, and soon after, a recruitment consultant found him a role at building company Gammon Construction. Though initially assigned to repetitive data entry work—a role he felt fell short of his qualifications—he was later promoted to HR assistant. These experiences, both at school and at work, motivated him to create an organisation for people facing similar challenges.

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In CareER Association’s early years, Tsui often appeared in the media, exposure he calls “positive stigmatisation”, where individuals with disabilities receive a disproportionate amount of attention when they accomplish something. He found the pressure overwhelming as he wanted people to focus more on understanding the charity’s mission. As he continued to lead the organisation, his team celebrated several milestones, including awards from The Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Austrian social innovation non-profit Essl Foundation.

Amid the economic downturn and high turnover during the city’s recent emigration wave, Tsui reflected on his leadership: how can someone with visual impairment lead effectively? “When I first got feedback from my previous team that I wasn’t listening to them, I didn’t understand why,” he says. A charity board member told him his inability to pick up on non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, affected communication. He believes the group should explore further how individuals with disability could lead, as it has more implications for this community. For instance, how a person with a hearing impairment might practise active listening.

Looking ahead, Tsui aims to expand the group’s impact by rolling out additional initiatives to empower members. One plan includes introducing a version of the Disability Inclusion Index aimed at local firms, which may need more guidance than multinational companies to embrace inclusivity. At the heart of it all is one unwavering goal: to eliminate stigmatisation and foster acceptance and confidence among people with disabilities. “If we don’t unite, society won’t see us.”

Read more: How to make your workplace more disability inclusive

Here, we ask Tsui a round of quick-fire questions to discover his life outside of work, from his passion for Wing Chun to how he handles tough times. 

Describe yourself using three adjectives.

Walter Tsui (WT): Competitve, creative and persistent. 

In a previous interview, you mentioned you enjoy martial arts, particularly Wing Chun. What draws you to it?

WT: I have been interested in martial arts since I was a kid. I remember there was a kid with autism who got bullied, and I would try to help. As I grew up, I wanted to learn martial arts to become stronger. I didn’t have many options, but Wing Chun stood out because you can practice it with your eyes closed, as you maintain constant contact through the arms, which is referred to as “sticky hands”. That makes it perfect for me. I have practised it for at least a decade. 

Has anyone inspired you in recent years?

WT: I was surprised to learn that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a former US president, was wheelchair-bound. When I doubted if I could be a leader with a disability, his story reminded me that a president led the country with a disability over 80 years ago. This made me feel relieved and more confident in myself.

Is there a specific term or concept associated with disability that you find yourself explaining too often? 

WT: People with disabilities are just like anyone else. We can have strong educational backgrounds and work in any job, whether it’s an office-based role or a hands-on position. Don’t be surprised if someone with a disability studies at university or becomes a lawyer. We have career preferences, too, just like everyone else.

Running an organisation is no easy feat. What’s your go-to strategy for managing negative emotions like stress or anger? 

WT: When I feel frustrated, I take time to talk to myself. After graduating from the university, I felt very unconfident because the environment wasn’t always inclusive. I remind myself of my hopeful, driven 18-year-old self from secondary school and what I learnt during my exchange years in the US. Sometimes, stress and challenges cause you to forget why you began, so you can look back and recall your original motivation. 

Now, meet more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from the Philanthropy & Charity sector.

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