SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
DISABLED PEOPLE NEED EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
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DISABLED PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, ASSISTED AND GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A YOUTH AWARD SCHEME HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHE STRESSED THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES WAS TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
A COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WAS SET UP IN 1982 TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON REHABILITATION, SHE SAID.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE MAY ELIMINATE MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE DISABLED,+ SHE SAID.
THE YOUTH AWARD SCHEME, SHE SAID, WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND DISABLED PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
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+ IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS, SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS,+ MRS DOE SAID.
+RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING, SHE SAID, ADDING THAT 19 GROUPS WERE FOUND ELIGIBLE OUT OF THE 26 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
MORE THAN 330 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, INCLUDING 135 DISABLED PEOPLE, TOOK PART IN VARIOUS SERVICE PROJECTS BY ORGANISING SEMINARS, CAMPS, SPORTS COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SUBSIDIES TOTALLING $28 000 WERE GIVEN FOR THESE PROJECTS.
THE YOUTH AWARD SCHEME, FORMING PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SERIES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON REHABILITATION THIS YEAR, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND SPONSORED BY THE SHELL COMPANY.
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