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the Kent Association for the Blind. An innovation this year was
that the menu was transcribed into Braille for the benefit of the
deaf/blind persons who read Braille.
Handicraft Classes
Handicraft classes for blind and partially-sighted persons are
held at Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst and Orpington.
Throughout the year the classes have been well attended. The good
attendance record is achieved mainly because transport is provided
by either voluntary drivers or taxis paid for by Kent Association
for the Blind. Apart from their therapeutic value, the classes
provide an incentive for blind persons to move outside their home
environment.
Sheltered Employment
The female blind worker employed as a flat machine knitter
in the London Workshops for the Blind became redundant as a
result of the knitting department being closed. The total augmentation,
supplementation, and travelling expenses, for the period 1st
April to 25th September, 1967, amounted to £329 4s. 8d.
Home Workers Scheme
At 31st March, 1968, there were two blind male piano tuners
and one female machine knitter employed under the Home Workers
Scheme. The total augmentation for these workers amounted to
£817 12s. 2d. The Borough also paid a fee of £60 per worker
towards administrative costs. 75% of expenditure of administrative
costs of Homeworkers Schemes is payable by the Department of
Employment and Productivity up to a maximum of £40.
Residential Accommodation
The number of registered blind and partially-sighted persons
resident in homes as at 31st March, 1968, was as follows: —
Blind—In Special Homes 1 Male 6 Females
In other Homes 144 „
Partially-sighted— 5 „ 22 „
National Library for the Blind
Membership of the library is open to any blind person who
is able to read Braille or Moon. The cost of membership is £3 per
person per annum and this is met by the local authority. At 31st
March, 1968, 31 blind persons were members of the library.
Nuffield Talking Book Library
145 blind and partially-sighted persons had talking book
machines at 31st March, 1968. An annual rental charge of £3 is