View report page

133
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
family commitments, need rehabilitation and resettlement in
appropriate employment and, during this interim period of shock
and helplessness, the individual and family need the fullest support
from our services in order to face the future and adjust to the
changed circumstances.
Onset of blindness in old age tends to be insidious and perhaps
for this reason is less subject to emotional stress. Unfortunately it
is often accompanied by the loss of other faculties which merely
intensifies the need for the supportive services.
As in other spheres, social workers in this field are in great
demand especially those designated "teachers", the paucity of
which is lamentable. Progress has been made in training social
workers in the special "teaching" skills but a sufficiency to meet all
demands is unlikely within the next few years.
Investigations into some modern innovations such as "ultra
sonic" aids and the "long cane" hold out hopes that eventually
the mobility of many blind persons will be substantially improved.
Registers
Registers of blind and partially sighted persons are maintained.
New cases which come into notice are referred from many sources
including the National Assistance Board (now the Ministry of
Social Security), general practitioners and hospitals. Subject to the
consent of the person concerned, an examination by a Consultant
Ophthalmologist is arranged. For this purpose the Council employs
a part-time ophthalmologist and examinations are arranged either
by a domiciliary visit or by transporting the patient to the departmental
Medical Examination Room. At appropriate intervals,
similar arrangements are made for re-examination of persons
already on the partially sighted register. Registration marks the
point at which case work service begins.
In connection with the blind, of the 53 new cases added to the
register during the year, 39 (74%) were over the age of 65 years
and only 2 (4%) under one year. Registered Blind cases at 444
(180 males and 264 females) showed a decrease of seven from the
previous year.