XN000022-1989-04-23 — Page 6

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SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989

SHE SAID IN THE FOREWORD OF THE TEACHING KIT: "GIVEN APPROPRIATE TRAINING, PATIENCE AND TIME, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS CAN BE ASSISTED TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT TO ENABLE THEM TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS THEIR DISABILITIES PERMIT.

"WITH ADEQUATE ENCOURAGEMENT AND RECOGNITION FROM PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP MAY HAVE THE CHANCE ΤΟ EMERGE FROM THE PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT AND LIVE AS NORMAL PERSONS IN A SOCIETY THAT ACCEPTS THEM AS THEY ARE AND TO SHARE WITH ALL OF US A MEANINGFUL AND ENJOYABLE LIFE.

MRS WONG SAID THE HBTP WOULD NOT ONLY ASSIST TRAINED AND NON-TRAINED PERSONNEL TO PLAN AND PROVIDE EFFECTIVE INDIVIDUAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND RELATED ASSESSMENTS, BUT WOULD ALSO HELP TO INVOLVE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN SUCH TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND ASSESSMENTS SO THAT WHATEVER IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED BY THE TRAINEES COULD BE SHARED BY ALL CONCERNED, TEACHERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ALIKE.

MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON HOME-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMME, MISS ESTHER HO, SAID THE HBTP WAS ONE OF THE INTERIM SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THOSE PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP AWAITING PLACEMENTS FOR DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.

IT WAS ENDORSED BY

THE

REHABILITATION

DEVELOPMENT

CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.

THE FIVE-PART TEACHING PACKAGE IS WRITTEN IN SIMPLE TERMS FOR THE INTEREST OF HOME-BASED TEAM STAFF, AND PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

IT COMPRISES A MANUAL ON HOW TO DESIGN TRAINING PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, TRAINING TECHNIQUE, DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS, SOCIAL/INTERPERSONAL AND RECREATIONAL SKILLS, GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION.

MISS HO HOPED THAT THIS COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE WOULD SERVE AS USEFUL GUIDELINES AND ENABLE THE STAFF OF THE HOME-BASED TEAMS ΤΟ CARRY OUT EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP.

COPIES OF THE HBTP ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO RELATED STAFF IN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS WILL ORGANISED FOR HOME-BASED TEAM STAFF LATER THIS MONTH.

BE

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