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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
FUNCTIONS OF NEW PLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE DISABLED UNDERLINED * * * * *
FOR
AND
THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM DISABLED ADULTS ENABLES THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PLAN OPERATE REHABILITATION FACILITIES EFFICIENTLY AND ACCURATELY, ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN
LAW, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT SCHOOL SPEECH DAY OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, MR LAW SAID THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE APRIL, HELPED MONITOR THE ADMISSION OF THE DISABLED INTO REHABILITATION FACILITIES SUCH AS SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND HOSTELS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN THE PAST, REFERRALS AND PLACEMENTS FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES WERE CO-ORDINATED AT DISTRICT LEVEL BY THE SWD'S REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY PEOPLE OFFICES WHILE APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WERE HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S HEADQUARTERS.
THE SITUATION WAS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY SOME AGENCIES KEEPING THEIR OWN WAITING LISTS AND THE DIFFERENT ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.
"WITH THE NEW SYSTEM, ALL DISABLED PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE PLACEMENTS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES OR HOSTELS NOW NEED ONLY TO FILL IN ONE COMPUTERISED APPLICATION FORM AND THEN BE PROVIDED WITH THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, MR LAW SAID.
"UNDER THIS SYSTEM, A SIMILAR ADMISSION CRITERION IS ADOPTED BY FACILITIES RENDERING THE SAME KIND OF SERVICE SO THAT ALL APPLICANTS HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE OF BEING SERVED.
"TAIS SYSTEM, WHICH KEEPS INFORMATION ON ALL THE VACANCIES, WILL ALSO ENSURE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND HELP MINIMISE WAITING TIME AS THE WAITING LIST IS CO-ORDINATED CENTRALLY, HE SAID.
F
"THE SETTING UP OF THIS SYSTEM FULLY DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO PLAN AND DEVELOP ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED AND I HOPE ALL PARTIES CONCERNED WILL CONTINUE ΤΟ CO-OPERATE CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER IMPROVE AND PROMOTE SERVICES FOR THE HAND I CAPPED, HE ADDED.
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