ENG-2003 — Page 245

SOCIAL WELFARE

in mid-2004, and the Government will consider the way forward, taking into account the recommendations of the association.

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation services are provided by government departments and NGOs with the objective of integrating people with disabilities into society and helping them to fully develop their capabilities. These services are coordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation on the advice of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.

Services for Children with Disabilities

At year-end, the NGOs provided 1 716 integrated programme places in ordinary child care centres, 1 341 special child care centre places (inclusive of 108 residential places) and 1 749 early education and training centre places for pre-school disabled children. For autistic children, an enhanced training programme with input from clinical psychologists was provided in special child care centres. In addition, there were 96 small group home places for school-age mentally handicapped children requiring residential service.

Services for Adults with Disabilities

The Marketing Consultancy Office (Rehabilitation) assists in the marketing and business development of sheltered workshops and supported employment services. With a view to promoting integration of people with disabilities into society, 1810 supported employment places were provided in 2003 for those who were able to work in open settings with the necessary counselling and support service. For those who were not yet ready to compete in the open job market, 7 417 sheltered workshop places were provided to help them develop work skills. In addition, 453 places in the integrated vocational training centres provided a continuum of vocational rehabilitation services in a one-stop setting. There were 3 881 day activity centre places for mentally handicapped persons and 230 training and activity centre places for ex-mentally ill persons to help them become more independent in daily living. Five social clubs for ex-mentally ill persons and 17 social and recreational centres for other groups of people with disabilities were set up to encourage their participation in the community through various leisure activities.

As for residential services, there were 5 501 hostel and home places, and 241 supported hostel places for people with disabilities who could neither live independently nor be adequately cared for by their families. For aged blind people who were unable to look after themselves adequately, or in need of care and attention, 899 places were provided in homes for the aged blind and in care-and-attention homes. For chronic and ex-mentally ill patients, there were 980 long stay care home places and 1 349 halfway house places.

Professional Back-up and Support Services

Professional back-up services from clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are provided for people with disabilities in rehabilitation day centres and hostels. Speech therapy service is also provided for disabled children attending pre-school rehabilitation centres. Various support services are provided in the community. These include home-based training and support service for mentally handicapped persons, a community mental health link and after-care service for dischargees of halfway houses, and a community rehabilitation network for persons

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