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Equal opportunities for the disabled

The government together with non-governmental organisations have been making every effort in recent years to promote "Equal Opportunities and Full Participation For All", which is the ultimate goal of rehabilitation programmes.

This was stated by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, when he officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Island East PHAB Centre of the Hong Kong PHAB Association today (Saturday).

"A lot of resources has also been spent on public education to help people in the community to have a better understanding and acceptance of disabled persons, their disabilities and the rehabilitation services provided for them.

"While community support and acceptance are important to ensure integration, persons with disability also need more work skills and employment opportunities to facilitate them to wholly fulfil their potential in this competitive society," Mr Stratton said.

In order to improve training and employment opportunities, Mr Stratton said a Working Party on Training and Employment for People with Disabilities had been set up since May last year to review the existing services and a report would soon be issued.

"As a way forward to enhance the employment of the disabled, there is a significant increase in the subvention provision for supported employment service to 360 places from March 1 this year involving many more agencies, including the Hong Kong PHAB Association.

"This service encompasses job finding and matching, job coaching, a follow- through support and employment related skills training.

"Through this service, it is hoped that persons with disability will gain more work skills, higher income and better chances to compete in the open job market, and be able to lead a more dignified fulfilling life, integrated fully into the community," he said.