Care of the handicapped

A handicapped child is defined as a disabled child aged 5 years or over who was further identified as being limited to some degree in his/her ability to perform certain tasks in relation. The following are specific are where care is needed for their well-being:

Support services

There should be adequate support services for handicapped children including vocational rehabilitation services, care homes and community support service. This will help them to develop their capabilities to the fullest and integrate into the community.

Medical support

Handicap children need integrated rehabilitative services which should be aimed at improving their self-care abilities, physical mobility and treatment of associated medical or psychiatric conditions.

Special education services

Handicapped people especially children with intellectual disability should be placed in aided special schools upon the recommendation of specialists or medical practitioners after assessment and with the consent of the parents in order to receive intensive support service.  For children with intellectual disability attending regular schools, there should be provision for teacher training and professional support to schools to help them adopt the Whole School Approach to catering for the needs of their students with special educational needs.

Financial support

The government should provide monthly allowance to citizens who are having children who are severely disabled especially those who are 65 years old or above with special needs arising from disability or old age.

Emotional support for carers

People caring for mentally handicapped children often find yourself in enormous stress, they should be provision for professional help to care for the carers themselves.

Equal opportunities

There should be provision of equal opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities and their carers should not be discriminated against, harassed or vilified on the ground of the patients’ disability.