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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Rehabilitation Complex (TWGHs JCRC) in Aberdeen today (January 28) to extend his early Lunar New Year greetings to the residents and service users and to see some of the residential care services and day rehabilitation training facilities in the Complex.
Accompanied by the District Social Welfare Officer (Central Western, Southern and Islands), Ms Pang Kit-ling, Mr Cheung was briefed by Assistant Superintendents Ms Yeung Mee-ling and Mr Joseph Yuen on the services and facilities provided at the Complex.
At the Tsin Cheung Day Activity Centre cum Hostel inside the Complex, Mr Cheung was briefed on various types of rehabilitation training for the users. He also visited the Jockey Club Kin Lok Home, a care and attention home for persons with severe disabilities, where he chatted with the residents to convey his care and well wishes.
The TWGHs JCRC commenced service in 1997 and is the largest integrated rehabilitation service centre of its kind in Hong Kong, providing diversified services to persons with different types of disabilities. A total of 954 residential care places and 527 day training and vocational rehabilitation service places are provided at the Complex. With funding support from the "Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise" Project, the Complex also runs a number of social enterprises to create more job opportunities for persons with disabilities.
"The Government is very concerned about the needs of persons with disabilities. A number of new initiatives have been announced in the 2014 Policy Address, with a view to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities and participate in full in their personal growth, education, employment and social life.
"These include the provision of 6 200 additional places for rehabilitation services, which include 2 016 places for day training and vocational rehabilitation services, 2 713 places for residential care services and 1 471 places for pre-school rehabilitation, within the term of this Government," Mr Cheung said.
"It is worth highlighting the redevelopment of the former sites of Siu Lam Hospital in Tuen Mun and Kai Nang Sheltered Workshop cum Hostel in Kwun Tong into two large-scale integrated rehabilitation service centres to provide a total of about 2 000 places of residential care services and day training for persons with disabilities," he added.
The Government will also provide a considerable number of additional places of residential care services and day training for persons with disabilities through the Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses.
In addition, Mr Cheung pointed out that the Government would continue to promote the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme launched in September 2013 to encourage more employers to provide internship and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government, as an employer, will further promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the civil service.
With the advent of the Year of the Horse, Mr Cheung brought spring couplets to the members and residents of the complex for an early New Year celebration. He wished them a healthy and blissful Year of the Horse.
Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:40
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