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Welfare Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
It has been difficult to know how many deaf persons reside in the City and to assess their
special needs. It has taken longer to make contact with deaf persons and in the main their response
to the offer of services is slower. They all appear to enjoy the social visits made by
the Assistant Health and Welfare Officer.

Welfare Services for the Aged and Infirm and Handicapped Persons
There are very few severely disabled persons living in the City. The largest group of handicapped
persons are those on the general register. There is a smaller group of 33 elderly and
infirm who at the present time wish to be 'independent of welfare services' and who are visited
from time to time. The visits are happily accepted with the assurance that if they need help they
will notify the Health and Welfare Department. The Assistant Health and Welfare Officers have
left each person a card with name, address and telephone number of the Department to use in an
emergency.
During the winter months, home visits increased in number to help the less mobile avoid the
complications of the condition known as hypothermia— two such cases occurred during December.
Many elderly and handicapped persons are receiving two, three or more of the services
provided to help maintain themselves in their own homes.

Holidays for the Physically Handicapped
Up to the present time, holidays for handicapped persons have been more suitably provided
as recuperative holidays on medical recommendation.
Sheltered Employment for the Handicapped and Elderly
No requests have been made.
Day Centres and Clubs
Three elderly and infirm women attend the Day Social Club at St. Matthews Hospital twice
weekly. All three are not entirely home-bound but are very limited in their activities.
Library Service for the Homebound Persons
In conjunction with the Principal Lending Librarian of the Guildhall Library, arrangements
have been made for such a service and the Principal Lending Librarian reports as follows:—
"This service which was inaugurated in co-operation with the City Lending Libraries has
continued throughout the year. Residents who through old age or who are incapacitated are
visited at three-weekly intervals by a senior member of the lending library staff with a selection
of books. 17 deliveries were made in 1967 to an average of 12 readers per visit. No limitation
is placed on the number of books that can be borrowed at a time and the amount obviously varies,
from reader to reader, but in all 905 books were issued during the year. There is a demand for
non-fiction as well as fiction and good use continues to be made of the large-print books specially
provided for readers with failing sight.
This is a small service, but one which is generally appreciated by the recipients, not least
from the point of view of the 'Social call'. The pleasure it affords brings its own rewards to the
library staff involved and the City Lending Libraries are glad to be able to co-operate in this
venture."
SECTION 31-MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE
The arrangements for providing Meals on Wheels five days a week from the Staff Association
Luncheon Room Continues. At the end of the year 1558 meals had been supplied and delivered.
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