Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1968-1969 — Page 32

REHABILITATION

78. There has been rapid development over the past few years in rehabilitation programmes for the disabled in many countries, and Hong Kong is keeping pace with this trend. The Colony has also become a focal point of international interest in this field of social welfare: the 4th Pan Pacific Conference, jointly sponsored by the International Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and partly financed by a Government subvention, was held in the City Hall between 1 and 7 September 1968. Working on a theme of 'New Talent for the Community' the Conference aimed at arousing public interest in the rehabilitation of the disabled, eliminating discrimination against them in the matter of employment, and exploring possible new employment outlets for them. Three awards were presented to outstanding employers one of whom, the Leighton Textiles Company, has been re- cruiting disabled persons introduced by the Department since 1966. The Disabled Person of the Year Award for making the most out- standing contribution to the community was given to an Assistant Social Welfare Officer who is herself blind.

79. It is the Department's aim to provide rehabilitation services for those in need so that where possible they may have the opportunity of becoming independent and self-supporting members of the com- munity. Rehabilitation of the disabled often involves a threefold process: firstly, treatment to help the disabled to adjust themselves to their disabilities; secondly, the application of vocational and other forms of training designed to encourage them to make the fullest possible use of their residual capacities; third, their restoration in society through placement in remunerative employment, schools, etc.

80. The Principal Social Welfare Officer (Rehabilitation) is the officer in the Division responsible for the supervision of work in this field of social welfare; his staff are responsible for the rehabilitation of persons in need suffering from four main categories of disability, namely, mental retardation, blindness, deafness, and physical dis- ability. Rehabilitation services are provided in 17 institutions, clubs, centres and workshops administered by the Department whose staff work in very close co-operation with voluntary welfare organizations and Government Departments providing similar services and facilities. During the year two additional rehabilitation centres were opened. The

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