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135
or on how to maintain residence at their existing addresses.
During the year, a scheme was commenced whereby families
rehoused from the Council's Homeless Families Accommodation at
158a, Plumstead High Street, or 32, Charlton Road, were "followedup'
by a Social Worker. In most instances only two visits were made
and these proved considerably worthwhile in that the attention of
appropriate officers and other agencies i.e. Health Visitors, Housing
Welfare Officers, Ministry of Social Security representatives, etc.,
were quickly drawn to any problems developing early after return
to the community.
Six parties were arranged for the handicapped at Christmas and
in the New Year and the Mayor, who allocated £40 towards
them from the Christmas Fund, attended all but one when he was
represented by his Deputy. In all, some 314 guests were entertained.
Students— There were 5 student placements with Welfare
Social Workers during 1966.
Welfare of the Blind
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.
Following the national trend, the most usual site for blindness
is the retina which accounts for almost one third of all persons
locally registered as blind. The major cause is congenital defect, and
glaucoma, cataract and interstitial keratitis are common conditions.
A high proportion of lesions causing blindness are preventable or
remediable if detected sufficiently early.
Nevertheless, despite all recent progress in the medical fields
there will always be a certain number of blind persons in any
community and even with the adoption of new techniques arising
from the rapid advances in science and technology, blindness will
remain a major social problem.
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.
A blind child's progress towards adulthood must be closely
followed and necessary adjustments made for the changes in practical
and emotional conflicts especially at the stage when a decision has
to be made with regard to vocational training and again when the
time comes for placement in sheltered or open employment.
Particularly difficult problems arise with those who, for various
reasons, become blind in middle age. These people, usually with