XN000022-1980-05-21 — Page 6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980

5

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS SWD SHELTERED WORKSHOP

******

LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAW FOR HERSELF HOW DISABLED PEOPLE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO USEFUL WORK DURING A VISIT TO THE LEK YUEN SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN SHA TIN.

THE WORKSHOP IS THE SEVENTH RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS ONE OF ITS REHABILITATION SERVICES.

LADY MACLEHOSE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT THIS MORNING BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE SHA TIN-TAI PO DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR CHEUNG HON- LEUNG.

THE WORKSHOP WAS STARTED IN 1978, OFFERING PRODUCTIVE AND REMUNERATIVE EMPLOYMENT IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT TO UP TO 100 DISABLED PEOPLE.

LADY MACLEHOSE INSPECTED ITS FACILITIES AND TOURED THE PREMISES WHERE SHE MET THE DISABLED WORKERS DOING HANDICRAFT, MACHINE SEWING AND METAL WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TRADE INSTRUCTORS.

MR PETER LAU, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, EXPLAINED THAT THE WORKERS WERE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN ASSEMBLING OR PACKING WORK, WITH MATERIALS AND JOB ORDERS SUPPLIED BY FIRMS AND MANUFACTURERS.

HE SAID MOST OF THE WORKERS WERE MENTALLY RETARDED, WHILE OTHERS WERE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, EX-MENTALLY ILL, BLIND OR MULTI-HANDICAPPED.

THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT WORKSHOP CLASSES ACCORDING TO ABILITY AND CAN EARN AS MUCH AS $700 A MONTH ON A PIECE-RATE BASIS, HE SAID.

IN ADDITION TO WAGES, MR LAU SAID, THE DISABLED WORKERS ARE GIVEN AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT OF $3.50 A DAY AND FREE LUNCH.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND OR WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE WORKSHOP PROVIDES A BUS SERVICE TAKING THEM TO AND FROM WORK EVERYDAY, HE ADDED.

THE WORKSHOP STAFF ALSO ORGANISE REGULAR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PICNICS, BARBECUES AND TEA PARTIES FOR THE WORKERS, HE SAID.

/6