XN000022-1981-03-26 — Page 11

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

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THE OBJECT OF TRAINING IS TO TEACH THE MENTALLY SUB-NORMAL PEOPLE HOW TO USE SIMPLE TOOLS, TO EQUIP THEM WITH SOME SKILLS, TO DEVELOP IN THEM WORK HABITS AND TO ENHANCE SELF-RELIANCE.

BUT HE SAID THE CURRENT PROVISION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING PLACES IN THE GOVERNMENT-RUN AND VOLUNTARY INSTITUTIONS FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM.

HE HOPED THAT MORE RESOURCES BE ALLOCATED TO INCREASE THESE PLACES AND THE TYPES OF TRAINING PROVIDED MADE SUITABLE FOR THE CHANGING CHARACTERS OF HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIES.

ON JOB PLACEMENT, DR HO CITED A RECENT RESEARCH BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC SOCIAL WORK FACULTY WHICH SHOWED THAT 48 PER CENT OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS WERE UNABLE TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT AFTER LEAVING THE TRAINING CENTRES.

AND THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF THE OLDER MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS IS EVEN MORE UNSATISFACTORY, HE ADDED.

+APART FROM COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS AS LONG-TERM REMEDIES, THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE IMMEDIATE MEASURES IN STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL WORK AND JOB PLACEMENT STAFF IN THE TRAINING CENTRES AND IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND IN UPGRADING THE FUNCTION OF THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PLACE MENTALLY RETARDED JOB-SEEKERS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, DR HO STRESSED.

THE SURVEY FURTHER REVEALED THAT ALMOST 60 PER CENT OF THE DISABLED WORKERS ENGAGED IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT EARNED $400 OR MORE A MONTH WHEREAS ALMOST 90 PER CENT OF THOSE IN SHELTERED WORK EARNED $200 OR LESS A MONTH.

DESPITE THE IR LOWER WAGES, MOST OF THE HANDICAPPED WORKERS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE +BECAUSE THE IR DISABILITY IS NOT ASSESSED TO BE OF THE SEVERE GRADE+.

+WOULD IT BE FEASIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER RELAXING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE MENTALLY RETARDED WORKERS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS?+ HE ASKED.

WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE OPEN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IS A LONG-TERM GOAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT SHOULD TAKE MORE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO EXPAND JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN SHELTERED WORK, DR HO REMARKED.

HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT FOR THE DISABLED, INCLUDING A GREATER SUBVENTION FOR THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION TO EXPAND ITS REHABUS SCHEME.

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