TNAG-0608-FCO40-756-Planning-paper-on-progress-made-on-social-security-in-Hong-K-1977 — Page 48

Transport facilities

Counselling services

Works has issued copies of it to private architects and social welfare organisations for guidance.

6.14 A Working Group was set up in 1974 to recommena to Government what steps might be taken to adapt surface transport to the needs of the disabled. A report was submitted in 1975 and a number of the recommendations contained in the report have been adopted. A sign. indicating facilities for disabled has been designed and will be introduced wherever appropriate. The China Motor Bus Company Ltd. and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Ltd. will put this sign in their buses to mark off two seats for disabled passengers. Some members of the staff of the two bus companies and the Hong Kong tramways have been briefed by the staff of the Social Welfare Department on the classification of disabilities, the practical difficulties which a disabled traveller faces and how he can be helped to overcome them. The Kowloon Canton Railway is providing assist- ance to disabled passengers in boarding, finding seats, etc., and has put up notices in all railway stations inviting the disabled passengers to contact the station masters for help. The Kowloon Canton Railway will include in all new stations toilets accessible to disabled people. The Transport Advisory Committee and the Social Welfare Advisory Committee have endorsed recommendations for the free issue of provisional driving licence, the remittance of fees for driving tests, early arrangement of driving tests for the disabled and the reduction of licence fees for vehicles owned by disabled persons. It is hoped to introduce these measures soon. An experimental minibus scheme for the disabled is being run in Kwun Tong by a voluntary agency for a trial period of six months beginning in March 1977 to determine the cost-effectiveness and the administrative implications of run- ning such a scheme.

6.15

Many disabled persons face psychological problems, arising directly or indirectly from their disabilities, which may impede their rehabilitation. Such problems may arise out of the attitude of the disabled towards his own disability, fears about his future, strained family relationships, loss of status, financial difficulties, loss of earning power, dependency upon others or difficulty in finding employment or accommodation. The Social Welfare Department and voluntary organisations will continue to help the disabled to overcome these problems by providing counselling services (either in groups or on an individual basis), including guidance and referral to appropriate Government departments or organi- sations for assistance in housing, employment, medical care, school placement, institutional care, training and home help.

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