XN000022-1974-03-28 — Page 10

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ON

Thursday, March 28, 1974

THE DISABLED ARE CAPABLE TOO

A social worker whose primary task is finding jobs for disabled

people said today there is still a general belief, particularly among

employers, that disabled people are less efficient than others.

"This is a totally wrong concept because, once in a job, a

person with a physical or mental disability is probably a more steady

worker," said Mr. Chan Shiu-wing, Officer-in-Charge of the Social Welfare

Department's Job Placement Unit.

Mr. Chan has headed the unit for the past 4 years dealing with

factory managements and other employers, placing disabled people, both

men and women, in employment to give them an opportunity to earn a

living on their own.

"General prejudice against the working capacity of the disabled

is still the main barrier which they have to face in trying to obtain

--

a job which would enable them to live decently in the community," he said.

He admitted that there are many jobs which the disabled cannot

do but said there are also many which they can.

"More progressive employers are becoming aware of this and are

willing to give them a chance to prove it, but there needs to be many

more.

"Their reluctance probably stems from the general feeling towards

the disabled, but I am sure, that their attitudes will change after they

have given the disabled a chance to show what they can do," Mr. Chan said.

/It is

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