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Party held at Maidstone. This annual event is very much appreciated
as the entertainment is provided by professional artists well
known on television and radio.
94. On the 2nd March a sale of goods made by the blind organised
by the Royal National Institute for the Blind Home Industries
Department was held at Beckenham.
Ministry of Labour
95. The staff of the department work closely with the blind persons
resettlement officer and the local disablement resettlement officers
employed by the Ministry of Labour. In the period under review
arrangements were made for three newly-registered blind persons
to attend a course of industrial rehabilitation at Torquay. One of
these has been reinstated with his former employers following the
course, a second terminated his course at the end of March, 1967,
and has not yet been placed in suitable employment, and the third
person concerned commenced his three months' course at Torquay
on 30th March, 1967.
St. Dunstaners
96. The number of St. Dunstaners registered in the Borough is
15, 11 of whom are in employment and 4 over 65 years of age.
British Wireless for the Blind Fund
97. During the year many wireless sets were distributed by the
Kent Association for the Blind to blind persons without a set of
their own. A free repair service is provided by the Association.
Any blind person issued with a battery set is entitled to receive two
free batteries per annum from Kent Association for the Blind.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
98. During the 12 months ended 31st March. 1967, one application
was made for a Guide Dog but was rejected by the Association on
health grounds. Two men and three women in the Borough already
have Guide Dogs.
Protection of Property
99. Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, provides for
the protection by the local authority of property of persons admitted
to hospital or residential accommodation where it appears that there
is a danger of loss or damage and where no arrangements are made.
It has been necessary to place movable property in store in respect
of 5 clients.
Burials
100. In carrying out its duty under Section 50 of the National
Assistance Act, 1948, the local authority has arranged 4 burials
and 2 cremations since 1st April, 1966.