Fund a complex of buildings at Pine Hill for the purpose of establish- ing a training centre, a pre-school centre, and a severe-grade unit. The complex is expected to be in operation by May, 1973.
56. The Spastics Association opened its first training centre in January 1973 for spastic children living in Sau Mau Ping arca. The Centre, called the Sau Mau Ping Training Centre, and officially opened by Lady MACLEHOSE on 26th March 1973, provides day training and care for 40 children in the area and works closely with their parents.
57. Significant features in services for the blind were the renovation of the To Kwa Wan Workshop and the installation of a cargo lift with a grant of $669,554 from the Lotteries Fund. On completion of these renovations, the Workshop was re-dedicated at a ceremony officiated by the Hon. G. T. Rowe on 10th November 1972. The year also saw the opening of a new service centre for the blind. The CN, Bostic Centre at Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate, run by the Pentecostal Holiness Church, began operation in October 1972. A new venture by blind persons was inaugurated when the Hong Kong Federation of the Blind was founded. This new organization was formed and run by blind persons, with the main objectives of providing voluntary services to its members and promoting of the welfare of its blind members.
58. The Division is also responsible for liaison with homes for old people which now number 21 with a total capacity of about 3,000. Another 18 are being planned. Government assists when necessary and appropriate with land free of premium and with a grant from the Lotteries Fund towards the cost of building. Eight homes receive a subvention towards running expenses. The need for the future is for homes which will be able to provide for old people that require full time care and attention and cannot be cared for in the community at large.
59. At the international level, Hong Kong was represented at the 12th World Congress of Rehabilitation International in Sydney in August 1972 by a delegation of 64 persons. The theme of the Congress was 'Planning Rehabilitation' and discussions were centred on aspects of the environment, incentive and self-help.
60. Looking to the future, the White Paper The Way Ahead' has recommended that disabled persons should be given assistance in pre vocational training, vocational training or sheltered work, so that they should have the opportunity of achieving and maintaining a position of social and economic independence in the community. The White
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