XN000022-1980-05-10 — Page 2

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980

DEFINITE TARGETS TO HELP THE DEAF

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THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF 180CIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) OUTLINED THE MAJOR TARGETS THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET DEFINITELY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DEAF.

SPEAKING AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING SERVICE AND EXHIBITION DAY OF THE VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, MRS CHAN SAID AMONG THESE TARGETS WAS CONTINUED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PROMOTING WELFARE SERVICES FOR DEAF PEOPLE.

OTHER TARGETS INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF AUDIOMETRIC AND SPEECH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES BY THE EDUCATION AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, SHE SAID.

FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS, SHE SAID LOTTERIES FUND GRANTS ARE MADE FOR THE PROVISION OF FREE HEARING AIDS, AND TO ASSIST SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF TO BUY AUDIO AND SPEECH TRAINING EQUIPMENT.

IN ORDER THAT MILDLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN MAY RECEIVE PROPER PRE-SCHOOL TRAINING AND CARE TOGETHER WITH NORMAL CHILDREN, SUBVENTED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACCEPT THEM, SHE SAID.

FOR THE MORE SEVERELY DEAF, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES TO CATER FOR THEIR NEEDS, SHE ADDED.

MRS CHAN SAID ELIGIBLE DEAF AND DISABLED PERSONS MAY BE GIVEN COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING TO HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR HOUSING PROBLEMS.

AS REGARDS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS. SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED FROM LAST MONTH TWO NEW MEASURES PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY CASH BENEFITS TO THE PROFOUNDLY DEAF AND THE PARTIALLY DISABLED.

FOR RECREATION SERVICES, APART FROM HELPING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO SET UP RECREATION CENTRES THROUGH SUBVENTION, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ASSISTS THE HEAR ING-IMPAIRED TO FORM THEIR OWN SOCIETIES AND ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SHE SAID.

ANOTHER TARGET, SET BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHE ADDED, IS FOR THE JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE NOW PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISABLED TO BE TAKEN OVER BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

+THERE WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE DEAF. WITH THE COOPERATION OF VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND CONSCIENTIOUS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, I BELIEVE ALL THE TARGETS WILL CERTAINLY BE ACHIEVED, SHE SAID.

LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST YEARS, MRS CHAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENTS WERE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES WHICH SET OUT GOVERNMENT POLICY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND ANNUAL

REVIEW.

/THE WHITE