XN000022-1980-09-15 — Page 2

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1983

REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED

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THE GOVERNMENT IS DEVELOPING REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE AREAS OF PREVENTION, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AS WELL AS MEDICAL AND SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS RUN BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHINA.

AT THE CEREMONY IN CITY HALL MRS DOE SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES AS TO ENABLE DISABLED PERSONS TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.

SHE SAID THE OBJECTIVE WAS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER, +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY: A UNITED FRONT+, PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1977.

THE TARGET GROUPS ARE THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND PEOPLE WITH VISUAL AND HEARING DEFECTS, SHE SAID.

SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES, SHE SAID, INCLUDE COUNSELLING, HOUSING, RESIDENTIAL CARE, TRANSPORT, ACCESS, SPORTS AND RECREATION.

MRS DOE SAID THAT IN PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE DISABLED, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOCATE HOUSING NEAR THEIR PLACE OF WORK.

+DISABLED OR ELDERLY PERSONS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, SHE SAID.

FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES, RESIDENTIAL CARE IS PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF LONG-STAY CARE HOMES, HALF-WAY HOUSES AND HOSTELS, SHE SAID.

DISABLED PEOPLE ARE PREPARED FOR JOBS THROUGH SPECIAL EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MRS DOE SAID, WHILST SHELTERED WORKSHOPS ARE OPERATED FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ENTER OPEN EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF DISABILITIES.

+ON THE OTHER HAND, SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS THESE ARE ESSENTIAL TO A BALANCED LIFE AND ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO THE DISABLED, SHE SAID.

AS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SHE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT GIVES SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT TO HELP DISABLED PERSONS WHO HAVE LOST ALL OR PART OF THEIR EARNING CAPACITY.

IN ADDITION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATES GRANTS FROM CHARITABLE FUNDS TO HELP PURCHASE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HEARING AIDS AND WHEELCHAIRS, SHE ADDED.

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