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Eight of the registered blind persons are employed in sheltered conditions in Workshops
for the blind, and an equal number of Blind Homeworkers are engaged in occupations ranging
from physiotherapy to knitting. It is pleasing to report that 71 persons were employed under
ordinary conditions in occupations such as telephone operators.
A total of 22 males and 48 females were added to the Blind Register during the year.
Qualified Social Welfare Officers for the Blind are employed to promote their general
social welfare, arrange occupational and recreational facilities and ensure that those
able to benefit from training and rehabilitation, are given the opportunity to do so.
The partially-sighted register totals 162 persons. Handicraft classes for the blind and
partially-sighted are held in different parts of the Borough each week. Dancing and Cookery
classes form a feature of other activities. Forty-seven persons participated in the Council's
Assisted Holiday Scheme.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Welfare Officer for the Deaf undertakes case work on behalf of persons registered
Deaf and /or Hard of Hearing and advises other Social Workers of their special problems
with which he has knowledge. Contact is maintained with the "Hard of Hearing" Groups
at Barnet and Hendon which continue to flourish under active leadership.
Physically Handicapped Persons
This group of persons includes spastics, epileptics, sufferers from multiple sclerosis,
muscular dystrophy, arthritis, poliomyelitis and other permanent disabilities. The number
on the Council's Register of Physically Handicapped Persons at 31st December 1968 was
1,451 — when split into age groups the following figures emerge:—
Under 16 years of age 16
Aged 16 years to 64 years 550
Aged 65 years and over 885
84
1,451