according to Chinese law and tradition. As from 31st December 1972, all adoptions should be processed through the Director of Social Welfare and the Supreme Court under this Ordinance.
CHAPTER V
REHABILITATION DIVISION
47. Two events marked the growing importance of rehabilitation services in Hong Kong. In November 1972, rehabilitation came under the administration of a separate division of the Department. The Division is now headed by a Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer, The publication of the White Paper 'The Way Ahead' also heralded a new age for rehabilitation. The White Paper envisaged that rehabili tation services should double in the next five years.
48. The Division is concerned with the rehabilitation of four main groups of disabled persons, namely, the mentally retarded, the blind (or visually impaired), the deaf (or hard of hearing) and the physically handicapped. The Division aims at providing these disabled persons with the opportunity of becoming independent and productive mem- bers of the community. This generally involves three phases: treatment to help the disabled to adjust to their disabilities; vocational training to encourage them to make the fullest use of their residual skills; and their restoration to society through appropriate training and placement in remunerative employment. Rehabilitation services are provided at 17 centres and institutions run by the Department and supplemented by the work of more than a dozen voluntary agencies.
49. In August 1972, approval was given for expanding the mentally retarded children's section of the Aberdeen Rehabilitation Centre which is operated by the Department. This expansion would involve convert- ing some of the existing buildings into a training block, classrooms and dormitories, and would also provide for additional open recrea- tional space. When completed, the new buildings and grounds will bring the capacity of the Section from the existing 90 to 140.
50. Also in August 1972, Government agreed to the establishment of a small unit within the Aberdeen Rehabilitation Centre as a 'Place of Refuge for the intensive training and care of delinquent children who are mentally defective and aggressive.
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