ENG-1994 — Page 242

SOCIAL WELFARE

for the hearing and visually impaired, the physically and mentally handicapped, and discharged mental patients. The Transport Department subvents a Rehabus service for people with a disability who have difficulties in using public transport. The Vocational Training Council is responsible for providing and co-ordinating vocational training for people with a disability.

At the end of the year, the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations provided a total of 910 integrated programme places, 987 special child care places (including 54 residential places) and 905 early education and training centre places for pre-school disabled children. In addition, the service of a clinical psychologist was provided for autistic children in special child care centres. For adults with a disability, there were 2 535 day activity centre places providing day care, daily living skills and work training for mentally handicapped persons; 5 095 sheltered workshop places providing employment for those unable to compete in the open job market; and 2 866 hostel places, 17 supported housing places and 32 small group home places for those who could neither live independently nor be adequately cared for by their families, or who lived in areas too remote from their places of training or employment. For aged blind persons unable to look after themselves adequately, or who were in need of care and attention, 325 places were provided in homes and care-and-attention homes. In addition, 200 long-stay care home places, 797 halfway house places and 160 day activity centre places were provided for discharged mental patients.

Twenty-two social and recreational centres were provided for all categories of people with a disability.

The supported employment scheme, introduced by the department in 1988, continues to provide employment opportunities for people with a disability. Various supported employment service models are being developed.

To improve service quality, professional backup from clinical psychologists, occupa- tional therapists and physiotherapists is provided in all rehabilitation day centres and hostels. Other support services include the respite service (which provides short-term relief to families with mentally-handicapped persons); five home-based training teams (which help train mentally handicapped persons while they await placement); seven home-based training teams with 105 places for pre-school disabled children; and 36 places of occasional child care service for children with a disability.

The Queen Elizabeth Foundation for the Mentally Handicapped, set up in 1988, aims to further the welfare, education and training of mentally-handicapped persons and to promote their employment prospects. The management and use of the foundation's funds are determined by a council appointed by the Governor. During the year, the foundation allocated $10 million in the form of grants or sponsorships to 23 non-governmental organisations and three government departments, enabling them to undertake projects for the benefit of mentally-handicapped persons. The fund stood at $132 million on March 31, 1994.

Community Chest

The Community Chest, which organises and co-ordinates fund-raising activities for its member agencies, raised a total of $178 million in 1994–95, compared to $171 million in 1993-94.

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