HONG KONG: When Helen Ching flipped through press clippings relating how special-needs students striving for continuing education were being hamstrung by rules and regulations, she was troubled.

As the mother of an autistic boy, she endured a similar encounter with authority two years ago. She was distressed about her son's future until she learned about the Community Institute of Education (CIE), a local special-needs center where her son was able to continue learning.

The institute was set up in 2004 and run by the Neighborhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC). The center's mission is to provide training and job opportunities in different fields for disabled persons after they complete 12 years of free education.

Government regulations stipulate that special-needs students must complete their schooling by the age of 18. However, the policy has come in for criticism for failing to bridge the education gap for disabled students.

"As a parent, I'm worried about what my child can do after (he turns) 18 years old? But we are now happy that my son can explore his potential here (CIE)," she said.

She added the rehabilitation services provided by the Social Welfare Department could not address the real needs of many students.

Her son, Andy Ching, completed his junior secondary education in a mainstream school in 2007. He loves music, but the current services provide training only for low-skilled work.

At CIE, he can continue to learn more about what he loves, music. CIE also looks for performance opportunities for him. Ching also feels more relaxed than when he was attending a conventional school.

Eva Choi Doi-kwan, NAAC coordinator, hopes disabled students could bring their talents into full play as Ching can at the institute.

"They are not a burden. They can also contribute to the society through continuing education," she said.

The CIE admitted about 400 students this year. Some 10 percent have started working in social enterprises.

To further enhance students' competitiveness in the society, the institute incorporated general study to teach them basic interpersonal and language skills.

It will also open a health science program in October to train the disabled to be healthcare specialists or assistants, offering more job opportunities.

ATech Health Specialists Ltd is selecting employees from the CIE students. One of them is Vicky Kwok who suffered delayed development.

Chief physiotherapist Ada Yu admired Kwok's patience for helping others. Kwok would be an assistant to teach the elderly or children in doing exercise.

"She is a suitable candidate as she has great interest in the job and is in good progress during training," Yu said.

Kwok had failed in seeking a job due to her disability years ago.

"I lost confidence in looking for jobs since then, but now I'm glad as I really love sports," she said.

(HK Edition 09/04/2009 page1)