XN000022-1984-05-24 — Page 7

THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1984

6 -

REHABILITATION COMMISSIONER NAMED

*****

MR MARTIN LEWIS HAS FROM TODAY TAKEN UP THE NEW POST OF COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION.

AT A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING LAST MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR NEIL HENDERSON, SAID THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (EDUCATION AND MANPOWER) POST WOULD BE RETITLED COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION. HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS

TO PROVIDE A CLEARER CENTRAL COORDINATING IDENTITY FOR REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED.

THE NEW COMMISSIONER IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER FOR FORMULATING REHABILITATION POLICY AND FOR COORDINATING THE PLANNING AND EXECUTIVE ACTION OF ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ENGAGED IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED.

HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICING THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND FOR ENSURING THAT THE COMMITTEE IS FULLY CONSULTED ON ALL POLICY PROPOSALS AND THAT ITS ADVICE IS GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION IN REACHING DECISIONS.

IN ADDITION, HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROVED POLICIES AND PLANS AND FOR ENSURING THAT THESE ARE IMPLEMENTED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MANNER.

ONE OF THE COMMISSIONER'S FIRST TASKS WILL BE TO ATTEND THE WORLD CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL, TO BE HELD IN LISBON FROM 4 TO 8 JUNE,

HE WILL BE CHAIRING A DISCUSSION GROUP RELATED TO THE CONGRESS' THEME OF INFORMATION, AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING FOR INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PERSONS AND SOCIETY.

MR LEWIS LISTS THE FOLLOWING MAJOR CHALLENGES CURRENTLY FACING REHABILITATION IN HONG KONG:-

* THE ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR ACCESS

FOR THE DISABLED TO BUILDINGS.

* STEPPING UP THE PROVISION OF SPEECH THERAPISTS.

* REDUCING THE SHORTFALL IN SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE

MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

*

*

THE INTRODUCTION OF A TRANSPORT POLICY FOR THE DISABLED.

INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED.

HIS CURRENT POSITION IS THE THIRD NEW PROGRAMME COORDINATION POST MR LEWIS HAS ASSUMED. PREVIOUSLY, HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REVITALISED CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN AND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME.