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Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 In the early 1970s, the Government set up an interdepartmental working group to look into the development of rehabilitation services, having regard to the fact that rehabilitation services then still had ample room for expansion to facilitate the full integration of persons with disabilities into the community. Against this background, the first Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP) was released in July 1976. The RPP was developed in consultation with various relevant Government departments and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). Recommendations put forward in the RPP on the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services formed the basis for the first White Paper on Rehabilitation: “Integrating the Disabled into the Community: A United Effort” published by the Government in 1977. 1.2 Development of rehabilitation services in Hong Kong has continued to gain momentum since the publication of the White Paper. The Government and the rehabilitation sector conducted regular reviews of the RPP to address the needs of persons with disabilities and the whole community in a timely manner. In late 1970s and early 1980s, Rehabus service and Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department came into operation respectively. In 1981, the Office of the Commissioner for Rehabilitation was set up under the then Health and Welfare Branch to coordinate the formulation of rehabilitation policy and provision of rehabilitation services. In mid 1980s, various major rehabilitation services experienced rapid development both in terms of quality and quantity, including, among others, pre-school training, day activity centres, hostels for mentally handicapped persons, half-way houses for discharged mental patients and vocational rehabilitation services. In 1985, mandatory requirements for barrier-free access of persons with disabilities were first imposed on various kinds of buildings under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). 1.3 1990s marked a significant milestone in the promotion of full equal opportunities for participation of persons with disabilities in community activities in Hong Kong. In 1995, the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) was enacted by the then Legislative

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Council to ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in areas such as employment, access to education, housing and daily living in the community. In the same year, the Government also developed the second White Paper on Rehabilitation entitled “Equal Opportunities and Full Participation: A Better Tomorrow for All” to reiterate its commitment on the sustainable development of rehabilitation services with all hence, Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services entered into a new era in which equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and their full integration into the community were on-going items on the social agenda. Meanwhile, self-help groups for persons with disabilities, the chronically ill and parents also started to mushroom in the early 1990s. 1.4 In 1997, the Mental Health Ordinance (Cap. 136) was enacted by the then Legislative Council to provide necessary legal safeguards for persons with mental disorder and/or mental handicap as well as their carers. In the same year, the Government also introduced the policy on integrated education and the new design standards under the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997. In parallel with the vigorous efforts by the Government and the rehabilitation sector, public transport operators also put in place a number of supportive measures, including the introduction of low-floor buses and improvement to the access facilities at MTR stations. In 1999, the Government, in collaboration with the rehabilitation sector, conducted a review of the RPP, in order to formulate a development plan to take Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services into the new millennium. 1.5 The new millennium saw Hong Kong breaking new ground in community-based rehabilitation services through the provision of necessary care and support to persons with disabilities and their families for living in the community. Moreover, social enterprises were developed through the tripartite efforts of the Government, the rehabilitation sector and persons with disabilities. As at 2006, a total of over 80 social enterprise units were set up by various rehabilitation agencies to create more employment and vocational training opportunities for persons with disabilities. 1.6 At its meeting on 24 January 2005, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) decided to carry out a new round of review of the RPP. The review aims to propose the way forward for rehabilitation service development in Hong Kong in accordance with the two major strategic

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directions endorsed by the RAC. The two strategic directions are:

to promote cross-sectoral collaboration in providing a barrier-free environment and diversified services for persons with disabilities so as to facilitate their integration into the community; and

to empower persons with disabilities and their carers, so as to

help them become valuable social capital. 1.7 The Working Group responsible for the review comprises representatives from the RAC, persons with disabilities, rehabilitation agencies, self-help groups, business sector and relevant Government bureaux/departments. The membership and terms of reference of the Working Group are at Appendix I of the Plan. 1.8 From March 2005 to April 2007, the Working Group held a total of 16 meetings and four special meetings, as well as two briefing sessions and four consultation forums. In the course of the review, the Working Group received and discussed over 100 written submissions from stakeholders. A summary of the submissions and views collected at the four forums is at Appendix II of the Plan. 1.9 The Working Group carried out comprehensive analysis and examination of the current services as well as views from stakeholders. It also proposed the way forward with long-term and short-term goals for rehabilitation service development in various key areas in accordance with the two strategic directions laid down by the RAC. 1.10 The Working Group also proposed specific measures in achieving various short and long-term goals. These specific measures help lay the foundation for the further development of services by the Government and non-government organisations (NGOs), and serve as guidance for private organisations and groups committed to the support of rehabilitation service development. 1.11 To facilitate the review, the Working Group conducted an environmental scan in which the current situation of service users and

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factors affecting the development of Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services are examined. A summary of the data examined in the environmental scan is at Appendix III of the Plan.