214 Social Welfare
Rehabilitation Services
A variety of rehabilitation services are provided by government departments and NGOs to meet the needs of people with disabilities, with the objective of integrating them 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 1 776 integrated programme places in ordinary child care centres, 1 344 special child care centre places (including 102 residential places) and 1 924 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 66 small group home places for school-age mentally handicapped children requiring residential service.
Services for Adults with Disabilities
The Marketing Consultancy Office (Rehabilitation) of the Social Welfare Department provides assistance 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, 1 655 supported employment places were provided in 2004 for those who were able to work in open settings with the necessary counselling and support service. For those not yet ready to compete in the open job market, 5 154 sheltered workshop places were provided to help them develop work skills. In addition, 453 places in integrated vocational training centres provided a series of vocational training and rehabilitation services. Some 2 889 places in integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres provided such services to people with disabilities in a one-stop setting. There were 3 981 day activity centre places for mentally handicapped people and 230 training and activity centre places for ex-mentally ill people to help them become more independent. Five social clubs for ex-mentally ill persons and 17 social and recreational centres for others with disabilities were set up to encourage participation in the community through various leisure activities.
As for residential services, there were 5 912 hostel and home places, and 279 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 1 005 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. A speech therapy service is also provided for disabled children attending pre-school rehabilitation centres. In addition, there are other support
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.