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retarded and unsuitable for education at school, two had not started
school, 10 attended special schools for the partially-sighted, and
two were capable of benefiting from education in an ordinary
school.
Employed
At 31st March, 1968, 36 partially-sighted persons were in
gainful employment. Considering the rising unemployment figures
during the winter of 1968 the partially-sighted persons at that time
fared reasonably well in the labour market. The exception was a
partially-sighted man who had mobility problems which resulted
in him losing two jobs. These problems were resolved eventually
and he was placed successfully in employment.
Unemployed
Of the total of 144 unemployed, 20 males and 100 females were
over the age of 65. Three males and three females were available
for and capable of work, four males and 13 females were not
available for work and one man was undergoing training.
Visitation by Social Welfare Officers
Social Welfare Officers made 2,112 visits during the year to the
homes of blind and partially-sighted persons to give advice on the
most appropriate methods of overcoming the disability of defective
vision. The number of visits made increased by 29% over the
previous year.
Home Teaching of Crafts and Embossed Types
During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1968, 141 lessons
were given by social welfare officers in a person's own home, viz.
(a) Braille 103; (b) Moon 25; (c) Handicrafts 13. Of those learning
to read on embossed type, three persons completed Grade II Braille,
one person reached Grade I Braille standard, one person achieved
Grade II Moon, and one person completed Grade I Moon.
Deaf /Blind
The number of deaf/blind persons has increased to three due to
the transfer-in of a totally deaf/blind man and his deaf/partiallysighted
wife. With the support of the social welfare officer the
couple have adjusted reasonably well to their new environment.
They have attended several meetings of the Deaf/Blind Luncheon
and Social Club at Swanley which is organised by the London
Borough of Bexley to enable deaf/blind persons who live within
easy travelling distance of Swanley to gather for a group activity.
The deaf/blind man and his wife, together with a deaf/blind lady
were guests at the Deaf/Blind Christmas Luncheon organised by