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services the emphasis is placed on meeting the social, vocational, recreational and rehabilitative
needs of these persons; at all times striving to assist them to retain their independence at home
with their families, or with their close support.
Blind and Partially Sighted Persons

Within these figures there are 16 persons working under sheltered conditions, 7 being employed
in workshops for the blind, and 9 workers engaged at home in occupations ranging from physiotherapy
to knitting. It is worthy of mention that 73 persons were employed under ordinary
conditions, i.e. in the general community earning their own living.
A total of 25 males and 69 females were newly registered during the year.
Qualified Social Welfare Officers for the Blind are employed to assist this class of handicapped
persons by promoting their general social welfare, supplying occupational and recreational
opportunities, and by ensuring that those able to benefit by training and rehabilitation are given
the chance to do so.
The Partially Sighted Register comprised 164 persons of whom 31 were working and 96 were
aged over 65 years; 34 were registered during the year. These persons receive the full support
of the Social Welfare Officers in the same way as the registered blind.
Handicraft Classes were held in different parts of the Borough each week, and dancing and
cookery classes formed a feature of other social activities; 66 persons participated in an
Assisted Holiday Scheme during the year. The needs of the deaf and blind are very demanding
and the Council shares with neighbouring Boroughs the time of a Welfare Officer for this
service.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Welfare Officer for the Deaf is concerned with counselling and interpretation for the deaf
without speech, undertaking case work, and advising other social workers of the special problems
of the Deaf. Special aids have been issued where appropriate, one of which is the Silent Door
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