SOCIAL WELFARE
Until recently assistance for blind persons in Hong Kong had mainly taken the form of institutional care. Two voluntary homes provided training for blind women and girls and another school run under voluntary auspices catered for 20 of the 80 blind soldiers living in Rennie's Mill Camp. These, together with some aged blind persons in old people's homes, made up the total of about 200 blind persons in institutions. In April, 1954, the Sub-Committee of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee which had carried out a socio- medical investigation into 600 blind cases, submitted its recommendations for the welfare and training of the blind. Since the investigation took place, a close liaison has been built up between the Social Welfare Office and the Government Opthalmic Service over new cases discovered, and the Ebenezer Home for blind girls has extended its scope by accepting blind boys under 12 years of age.
No special facilities at present exist for the care of crippled children but the recently established Society for the Relief of the Disabled is planning to build a convalescent home for those children who can be nursed back to health and vigour.
The Hong Kong School for the Deaf opened an extension in 1953, and now has 70 children and all but one are boarders. The curriculum includes primary education and a good training in handicraft. Some children have learnt to speak through lessons given in lip-reading.
Community Development
Kaifongs, which are Neighbourhood Associations peculiar to the Chinese tradition, have existed in parts
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