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Turning to empowerment through self-help, Mr Strachan said he had noted that an increasing number of self-help groups had become more active over the last couple of years.
"Through self-help, disabled persons or their parents become more resourceful, more sustained in the rehabilitation process and more enriched in social life.
"Besides, they are empowered by their collectivity in soliciting more social concern and public resources for their welfare.
"Recognising these benefits, I am sure the Government will continue to encourage the self-help spirit," Mr Strachan said.
On community support for disabled persons, he said new services such as parents resource centres and community rehabilitation networks were set up to provide information to disabled persons and their families, to help them acquire the needed community resources and to make use of services.
"Other support such as respite care, occasional child care, home-help service, family resource and activity centre, to name just a few, have been available to the carers of disabled persons to empower them in performing and sustaining their caring role in the family.
"This trend will continue. Other innovative approaches in providing community support to families with disabled members will continue to be seen in our community," he said.
Turning to empowerment through legislation, Mr Strachan said the government was actively drafting an anti- discrimination law to protect disabled persons.
"When this is enacted, disabled persons will not be unreasonably denied access to education, employment, services and various areas in social life. This certainly has a great empowering effect," he added.
End/Friday, January 6, 1995
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