XN000022-1973-04-18 — Page 7

:

ON

Wednesday, April 18, 1973

UPWARD SURGE IN EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED

workers.

Keener interest is being shown by local firms in employing disabled

A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department's Job Placement Unit

said today that the number employed last month totalled 35

14 over February.

an increase of

As a result of recent publicity given to the working capabilities

of the disabled, the Unit received a voluntary approach from Luen On Paper

Products Ltd. which took on 11 as general factory workers. This group comprised

seven mentally retarded, three crippled and one blind person.

Twelve other firms employed disabled workers during the month,

and the total of 35 comprised eight blind, nine crippled, six deaf, two

formerly mentally ill, eight mentally retarded and two recovered T.B. patients.

The initiative shown by these firms in hiring disabled workers

is most encouraging," the spokesman said.

"It is hoped that other employers in the commercial and industrial

field will come to recognise the working capabilities of the disabled,"

Records kept by the Job Placement Unit show that for the year ending

March 31 employment was found for a total of 293 disabled persons.

This number comprised 114 crippled, 55 deaf, 48 formerly mentally ill,

38 blind, 22 mentally retarded, 13 recovered T.B. patients and three ex-lepers.

17