Support for the disabled boosted

October 14, 2011

Director of Social Welfare Patrick Nip says the Government will allocate additional resources to offer more rehabilitation places for the disabled and more employment support and opportunities.
 
Speaking at the Society for the Blind’s 55th anniversary celebration today, Mr Nip said social welfare is one of the focuses of this year’s Policy Address.
 
“The Government will implement a series of new measures to support the people of Hong Kong, ranging from children to the elderly and from families to individuals in need, including persons with disabilities,” he said.
 
The Government will continue to provide additional places for pre-school, day and residential rehabilitation services for the disabled.
 
“Enhancement can be seen not only in terms of quantity but also quality, such as the introduction of the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance and the Pilot Bought Place Scheme for Private Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities. We also propose to provide a supplement for Comprehensive Social Security Allowance recipients with disabilities living in non-subsidised residential homes with a view to easing their financial burden,” he said.
 
“On the front of community care, we have launched the Pilot Scheme on Home Care Service for Persons with Severe Disabilities. Given the success of a trial scheme on the Transitional Care & Support Centre for Tetraplegic Patients introduced in 2008, we will make the scheme permanent to provide tetraplegic patients with transitional residential and day training services. It can also lessen the pressure of their carers.
 
“We will inject $100 million into the Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project to strengthen the funding support for non-governmental organisations to set up small enterprises with a view to employing persons with disabilities and creating more jobs for them.
 
“We also plan to provide a subsidy from next year onwards for employers of persons with disabilities to purchase technical aids and modify work areas for such employees.”
 
Mr Nip said he hoped the multi-pronged support and services could help the disabled develop their potential to the fullest, integrate into the community and enjoy the same rights as others.