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Wednesday, June 14, 1972
EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED
32 Found Jobs In May By Placement Unit
Thirty-two disabled were found various jobs during May by
the Social Welfare Department's Liaison and Placement Unit.
Of the total, 12 were crippled, seven blind, six recovered
mental patients, three retarded, three deaf, and one formerly seriously
ill.
Most have been found suitable work in industry as sewers,
packers, apprentices, messengers, labourers, and kitchen helpers. Two
blind were engaged as telephone operators, one by the Agriculture and
Fisheries Department, and the other by the Haven of Hope Sanatorium.
Commenting on the May figures, Mr. Paul Leung, Liaison and
Placement Officer, says more industrialists "have become aware of the
ability of trained disabled to contribute successfully to the manning
of their factories."
But he regrets it is "still difficult to place the more
severely disabled, for example, wheelchair cases, largely due to
problems such as transportation, factory design, and lack of space
for wheelchair movement."
Mr. Leung describes the disabled who cannot use their legs
because of paralysis as "intelligent people whose other faculties are
in no way hampered by their inability to move without assistance."
He feels the industrial community should make an effort to
overcome problems related to mobility, because "wheelchair cases make
good workers, with an enormous productivity potential. They are eager
to contribute reciprocally to the benefit of people who benefit them."
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