WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1976
GREEN PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES ******
A GREEN PAPER WHICH OUTLINES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPING HONG KONG'S REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS IS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND ANY VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THEM BY THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES WILL BE STUDIED CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
IT IS HOPED THAT EARLY NEXT YEAR A FIRM PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT DECADE WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS IN THE FORM OF A WHITE PAPER.
THE GREEN PAPER SUMMARISES THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A +PROGRAMME PLAN FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES+ SUBMITTED BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP IN JULY THIS YEAR.
IT CONTAINS SOME 30 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH FALL INTO FOUR MAIN SERVICE AREAS:
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2.
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4.
IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES:
THESE SERVICES SHOULD BE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED SO THAT DISABILITIES ARE DISCOVERED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT SERVICES PROVIDED.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES:
THEY SHOULD BE EXPANDED IN BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE TERMS. THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACES SHOULD INCREASE FROM 12,200 IN SEPTEMBER 1976 TO 38,700 BY SEPTEMBER 1985.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
THESE SHOULD BE IMPROVED FOR THE PHYSICALLY AS WELL AS THE MENTALLY DISABLED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THREE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES BE BUILT AND COMPLETED DURING THE DECADE. DAY CENTRES AND HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR MENTAL PATIENTS WILL ALSO BE INCREASED TO CATER FOR INCREASED DEMAND. AND,
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES:
THESE SERVICES (INCLUDING COUNSELLING, RECREATIONAL AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES) SHOULD BE EXPANDED. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT JOB PLACEMENT AND SHELTERED WORK SERVICES SHOULD BE IMPROVED SO THAT MORE DISABLED PERSONS CAN LEAD A FULL AND USEFUL WORKING LIFE.
/COMMENTING,