XN000022-1972-06-14 — Page 9

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Wednesday, June 14, 1972

EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED

32 Found Jobs In May By Placement Unit

Thirty-two disabled were found various jobs during May by

the Social Welfare Department's Liaison and Placement Unit.

Of the total, 12 were crippled, seven blind, six recovered

mental patients, three retarded, three deaf, and one formerly seriously

ill.

Most have been found suitable work in industry as sewers,

packers, apprentices, messengers, labourers, and kitchen helpers. Two

blind were engaged as telephone operators, one by the Agriculture and

Fisheries Department, and the other by the Haven of Hope Sanatorium.

Commenting on the May figures, Mr. Paul Leung, Liaison and

Placement Officer, says more industrialists "have become aware of the

ability of trained disabled to contribute successfully to the manning

of their factories."

But he regrets it is "still difficult to place the more

severely disabled, for example, wheelchair cases, largely due to

problems such as transportation, factory design, and lack of space

for wheelchair movement."

Mr. Leung describes the disabled who cannot use their legs

because of paralysis as "intelligent people whose other faculties are

in no way hampered by their inability to move without assistance."

He feels the industrial community should make an effort to

overcome problems related to mobility, because "wheelchair cases make

good workers, with an enormous productivity potential. They are eager

to contribute reciprocally to the benefit of people who benefit them."

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