XN000022-1981-01-16 — Page 8

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN-SUPPLEMENT

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL. 5-233191

Speech by H.E. the Governor. Sir Murray MacLehose, G.B.E., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0,

at the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Disabled Persons, January 16, 1981

Dr Fang, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very glad to receive this Charter for the 80s on behalf of

the Government and people of Hong Kong. We are particularly honoured as

this is the first Charter to be presented by you, Dr Fang, and your

distinguished colleagues from Rehabilitation International.

I welcome this opportunity to affirm my Government's whole-

hearted support for the aims and principles set down in the Charter.

Indeed it is reassuring to note how similar they are to those which Hong

Kong set itself in the 1977 White Paper on Rehabilitation.

The object of the phased programme in the White Paper is

maximum integration of the disabled in normal social and economic life.

This is not an object that can be achieved by building and money. There

is a very large psychological and social element as well. The effort must

he comprehensive by Government, voluntary agencies, the community and the

disabled themselves.

The first problem is to make all concerned realise that most

handicaps can be overcome.

The second is to provide the services to enable this to be done.

The third lies with the handicapped themselves. They must

have the courage and persistence and faith to benefit from the services.

This I am sure will not be wanting provided they are supported by the

Because none of these problems can be overcome unless people

community.

Aknow what