************************************************************
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said the Government is committed to stepping up support and services for persons with disabilities with the plan to revamp community support services and the provision of additional subvented residential care places to help them integrate into society.
Speaking at the Swimathon for Brightness 2007 today (October 14), Mr Cheung said the Government would follow the directions as stipulated in the latest Rehabilitation Programme Plan to strengthen support and services for persons with disabilities and their carers.
To promote community-based rehabilitation service, the Government is planning to adopt a district-based approach to provide one-stop service for persons with disabilities and their carers. The arrangement would not only enhance service efficiency and alleviate the burden of the carers, but also facilitate persons with disabilities to live with their families and friends in the community.
：We shall continue to increase subvented residential care places for the disabled who could not live independently and could not be adequately cared for by their families. We shall also legislate to regulate the service standard of residential care homes and to involve private operators in the provision of a wider variety of services to meet the needs of the disabled,； Mr Cheung said.
：Public education is of utmost importance in the prevention and early identification of disabling conditions, and the promotion of an inclusive community as well. We will, therefore, strengthen public education, review relevant strategies and increase pre-school places for children with disabilities so that the necessary training and support for the children and their families will be provided in a timely manner.
：One cannot rely on the Government alone to help with the full integration of persons with disabilities into society. It is important for non-governmental organisations and self-help groups to collaborate to promote the spirit of self-help and mutual help, and establish ．social capital・ for the development of rehabilitation services and an all inclusive community,； he added.
Mr Cheung commended the Hong Kong Society for the Blind, one of the organisers of the event, for its sterling contribution in offering a wide range of services for the visually impaired to help them overcome their obstacles and integrate into society.
Ends/Sunday, October 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:31
NNNN
