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132
29th November, six of our handicapped people, accompanied by
members of the staff, joined in a "mammoth" shopping expedition
in the King Street area of Hammersmith under the auspices of the
Hammersmith Council. A further 64 persons participated in a
similar shopping excursion in Woolwich on 6th December. This
latter event was made possible not only by the ready co-operation
of the managements of Messrs. Boots, Marks & Spencer and
Woolworths, but also by the assistance of a large number of
volunteers which included senior school children.
Departmental registers cover not only the blind and partially
sighted but the deaf and dumb and those persons severely or
permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity
and, during 1967, efforts were continued to make these registers
more comprehensive.
Although registration is normally a prerequisite to the provision
of services, no call for assistance goes unheeded by the department.
Visits
Visits to the handicapped during the year totalled 7,864,
compared with a figure of 6,394 for 1966. This is equivalent to
an increase of more than 20 per cent.

Welfare of the Blind and Partially Sighted
In contrast with a deaf or dumb handicap, blindness has always
had public support and sympathy and its difficulties have been
more readily understood possibly because it is easier to envisage
a world without sight than a life without speech or sound.
Congenital blindness needs the deep understanding of loving
parents but, above all, it demands constant application towards the
practical aspects of ameliorating the handicap. In this respect the
parents need skilled guidance and encouragement to ensure that a
child's full potential is realised.