MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
CONCERTED EFFORTS VITAL FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DEAF
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COMMUNICATION BARRIER, THE GREATEST OBSTACLE IN THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATING THE DEAF INTO THE HEARING COMMUNITY. COULD ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CONCERTED EFFORTS AMONG PROFESSIONALS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE Y'S MEN'S CLUB OF VICTORIA THIS EVENING, MISS OPHELIA CHAN, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S DEAF WELFARE UNIT SAID THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE SUFFERED FROM A +HIDDEN HANDICAP.
+THE ABSENCE OF SPEECH LIMITED DEAF PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO CREATE NATURAL TIES AND FRIENDSHIP, THE LACK OF WHICH OFTEN LED TO MISUNDERSTANDING, MUTUAL SUSPICION, A SENSE OF ISOLATION, DEPRESSED FEELING, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT,+ SHE SAID.
RECOGNISING THEIR NEED FOR SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION, MISS CHAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HAD EFFECTED TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DEAF.
+RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EXPANSION OF SPEECH AND AUDITORY TRAINING, AUDIEMETRIC SCREENING PROGRAMMES, AND PRE-SCHOOL CARE AS CONTAINED IN THE REHABILITATION WHITE PAPER, ARE VITAL TO FACILITATING THEIR DAILY ADAPTATION, SHE SAID.
ANOTHER URGENT REQUIREMENT, MISS CHAN SAID, WAS THE TRAINING OF MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELLORS WHO PLAY ESSENTIAL ROLES IN BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE DEAF AND THE HEARING COMMUNITY.
ILLUSTRATING HER STATEMENT, MISS CHAN SAID THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN DEAF PEOPLE NEEDED GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, BUT FAILED TO GET THEM DUE TO THE COMMUNICATION GAP.
+HAVING ESTABLISHED A RELATIONSHIP OF MUTUAL TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING WITH THE DEAF, SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN SOCIALISATION, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND EMPLOYMENT, SHE SAID.
DESCRIBING THE PROVISION OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS THE DEAF PEOPLES' ONLY WAY TO ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT, MISS CHAN URGED MORE EMPLOYERS TO EXERCISE PATIENCE AND ACCEPT THE WORKING ABILITY OF THE DEAF.
SHE STRESSED THAT MANY DEAF PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING WORK ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THE REST OF THE LABOUR FORCE, AND THEIR WORKING POTENTIAL WOULD BE IMPROVED WITH EXPANSION IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES.
MISS CHAN SAID THAT APART FROM A HARMONIOUS FAMILY AND A SATISFYING JOB, THE DEAF ALSO NEED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO TRAIN THEIR PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES. SHE ADDED THAT PLANS FOR MORE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEAF WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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