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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, joined by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Direction Association for the Handicapped in Tiu Keng Leng this afternoon (August 9).
During the visit, Mrs Lam and Mr Cheung got a more thorough understanding of the rehabilitation skills of persons with disabilities and home design that can assist them in day-to-day life. They also chatted with persons with disabilities and their carers to learn more about their aspirations for rehabilitation and medical social services, health care and training, as well as the financial burden involved in seeking treatment and caregiving services, and the difficulties they face and the support they need in the course of integration into the community and employment.
"To support the underprivileged, the Chief Executive said in his manifesto that social welfare should promote integration among different parties, including persons with disabilities, and thereby help us join forces to build up our society. We understand that people who have disabilities have faced a great deal of difficulties in rehabilitation treatment, physical and mental health care and integration into the community. Their carers also withstand financial and psychological pressure. The Government is deeply concerned and will continue to strengthen our professional support to persons with disabilities and their carers," Mrs Lam said.
Established in 1991, the Direction Association for the Handicapped has been receiving subvention from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) since 2001 under the Financial Support Scheme for Self-help Organisations of People with Disabilities. The Association primarily promotes the spirit of mutual help among persons with disabilities, assisting them to develop their potential and striving to protect the rights of people with severe physical disabilities.
The SWD has set up 16 district support centres for persons with disabilities throughout the territory, adopting a district-based approach to provide community support services to persons with disabilities and their carers. The centres aim at enhancing the domestic living and community living skills for persons with disabilities and strengthening the caring capability of their carers. In addition, the SWD launched a three-year Pilot Scheme on Home Care Service for Persons with Severe Disabilities in March 2011 to provide comprehensive home care services to persons with severe disabilities waiting for SWD-subvented residential care services.
Members of the Preparatory Task Force on the Commission on Poverty Ms Christine Fang and Mr Law Chi-kwong also joined the visit today.
Ends/Thursday, August 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:16
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