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Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says the Government will step up support and services for the disabled with a plan to revamp community support services and the provision of additional subvented residential care places.
Speaking at the Swimathon for Brightness 2007 today, Mr Cheung said the Government will follow the directions as stipulated in the latest Rehabilitation Programme Plan to strengthen support and services for the disabled 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 the disabled and their carers. The arrangement will not only enhance service efficiency and alleviate carers' burden, but also enable the disabled 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.
The Government will also strengthen public education, review relevant strategies and increase pre-school places for children with disabilities so that the necessary training and support for 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 people 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.
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