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Wednesday, November 22, 1972
EXPANSION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR DISABLED
The Social Welfare Department's rehabilitation section, formerly
part of the Family Services Division, has been reorganised into a separate
division under its own Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer.
This reconstitution and elevation of the section recognises that
rehabilitation services for all categories of the disabled will continue to
expand.
In the words of the draft white paper on social welfare development
in the 1970's, "there will be a major push to develop more facilities for the
disabled" with "the greatest growth in services for the mentally retarded."
The white paper saya:
"For the disabled in general, training centres,
vocational training, sheltered workshops and hostel facilities will double in
number during the five-year plan.
"The aim will be to establish comprehensive services to meet the
known needs of the disabled in the fields of training, employment and housing.
So far as possible, these services will help them to reach maximum self fulfil-
ment and to be integrated fully into the community. The community in turn must
respond by assisting the disabled, for example, in employing them."
The head of the new division is Mr. T.P. Khoo, formerly Senior
Principal Social Welfare Officer in charge of the Family Services Division.
"The change reflects the welcome emphasis being placed by
He says:
the Government on the status of the disabled in relation to the able-bodied in
the community.
"After all,