ENG-1958 — Page 233

SOCIAL WELFARE

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The new Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, which sprang from a sub-committee set up in 1957 by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, plans to provide physio-therapy, limb-fitting and vocational training under medical supervision at a centre to which curable disabled adults will be admitted, so as to be equipped again for employment. The Society has received much encourage- ment and advice from the International Society for the Welfare of Cripples whose President, Sir Kenneth Coles, and Secretary- General, Mr. Donald V. Wilson, visited the Colony during the year; another visitor was Dr. Henry D. Kessler, a United Nations Consultant on Rehabilitation. At its North Point Camp, the Department provides vocational training and sheltered employ- ment for some 120 homeless and disabled adults including ten cured leprosy patients discharged from the Hay Ling Chau Leprosarium. Accompanied by the Orthopaedic Specialist of the Medical Department, a member of the Department's staff attended the Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation held in Sydney from 10th to 14th November and remained for about two months' training generously arranged and financed by the Australian Advisory Council of the Physically Handicapped.

It has been estimated that there are 5,000 blind persons in the Colony; 1,600 are registered with the Blind Welfare Unit of the Department which also runs five clubs for the blind where simple braille and handicrafts are taught. The Hong Kong Junior Chamber of Commerce again presented coloured walking sticks in 1958 for the use of the blind. An important event was the visit to the Colony from 10th to 14th March of Mr. John F. Wilson, O.B.E., Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, as a result of which the Society has arranged to second an officer for about two years to advise and assist in the develop- ment of blind welfare work. As part of this development the Hong Kong Society for the Blind plans to set up a sheltered workshop for 200 blind persons./The local Society is running a vocational training centre in conjunction with the Department, with classes in machine-sewing and rattanwork for thirty trainees, as a first step towards a workshop. The Ebenezer Home and School for the Blind intends, with a large grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, to rebuild and enlarge its premises so as to increase con- siderably its present number of 100 pupils. The Canossa Home