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(i) To take such steps as are practicable to assist handicapped
persons who appear to be capable of benefiting from training
under the Education Act, 1944, or the Disabled Persons
Employment) Acts, 1944 and 1958, and wish to take advantage
of such training.
The Register of Handicapped Persons at 31st December, I960, showed a total
of 1,514. During the year, 365 persons were added to the Register. The
grouping of disabilities is in accordance with the Medical Research Council
code of diseases and disabilities as used by The Department of Employment and
Productivity. Relevant statistics are produced in Table I (Opposite page).
An analysis of the disabilities of the newly registered cases is shown in
Table II (page 126).
Notifications concerning handicapped persons are received from many
sources and the circumstances of each case are investigated at the earliest
opportunity. Social welfare officers have carried out 5.104 home visits.
Arising from these visits, many needs have been brought to notice and as
a result 340 items of equipment have been supplied, comprising bath mats,
bath boards, bath rails, bath seats, bath stools, bread cutters, commodes,
braille clocks, long handled dust pans and brushes, writing frames, hoists,
razors (mains and battery), raised toilet seats, walking sticks, wooden
tap turners and stocking aids. This involved expenditure totalling
£764. 9s. 6d. In addition, articles of medical loan equipment were issued
where necessary.
The sum of £680. 14s. 10d., (£6l6. 9s. 2d.) has been spent on special
grants for handicapped persons on the following items
Grab-rails in bathrooms and toilets
Wiring of P.O.S.S.U.M. equipment
Handrails by steps
Ramp to back-door
Complete adaptation to a flat
Two examples can be quoted of help given to severely disabled
residents of the Borough :-
A man confined to a wheelchair was re-housed. Ramps were built, the
bathroom door was widened and a folding-door fitted to facilitate the
patient's mobility.
A woman who had a leg amputation had a ramp built inside the backdoor
leading to the garden. A wide concrete step at the front-door was
halved and two shallow steps added to enable her to move with ease.