WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
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THESE MEASURES INCLUDE:
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RECRUITING MORE STAFF TO ENABLE FAMILY SOCIAL WORKERS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH EACH CLIENT;
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SUPPORTING PARENTS' AND RELATIVES' "RESOURCE CENTRES"
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DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES; AND
RELIEVING THE STRAIN ON PARENTS BY PROVIDING CENTRES WHERE DISABLED CHILDREN CAN BE LOOKED AFTER FOR SHORT PERIODS DURING THE DAY.
THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AT RISK
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THE GOVERNMENT MUST RESPOND TO THE PROBLEMS OF DISABLED MEMBERS WITH SUPPORT AND COMPASSION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
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COUNCIL,
MR PATTEN, IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE SAID MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE MENTALLY ILL COULD BE FRUSTRATED IF SOME SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY RESIST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACILITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS.
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"THE GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE A CARING APPROACH THROUGH CONSULTATION EXERCISES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES."
OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO SPEND $20 MILLION ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN THIS FIELD.
"BUT WE HAVE AN EVEN GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER OUR NEIGHBOURS' CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM THESE DISABILITIES AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM PREJUDICE AND ABUSE.
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THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING $405 MILLION ON PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THEM.
NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES ΤΟ INCREASE RECURRENT SPENDING ON THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BY 23 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
MR PATTEN SAID THE TIME THAT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PLACES IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL HOSTELS MUST BE REDUCED.
"WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE LENGTHY QUEUES FOR THESE FACILITIES BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL BURDEN THEY IMPOSE ON THOSE CARING FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
"
MOREOVER, IF THEY ARE GIVEN PROPER CARE AND EARLY DATE, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE CAN OFTEN REASONABLY INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
TRAINING AT AN LEARN ΤΟ LIVE
/THIS YEAR,
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