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made for borrowing a machine. Special headphones can be
purchased from the library for those who have defective hearing.
109 persons meet the rental charge themselves; 24 who have limited
means have all or part of their rental paid by Kent Association for
the Blind; 7 are St. Dunstaners who are not required to pay the
rental; and 5 are not yet on a rental basis as they use the older disc
machine. During 1967 the library introduced a smaller lightweight
talking book machine, which has tapes that can be sent direct to a
person without involving the Post Office in a special delivery
service. The new machines are being issued in conjunction with a
policy of converting the existing tape machines.
Social Rehabilitation
Social rehabilitation facilities which are provided by the Royal
National Institute for the Blind at Oldbury Grange, Bridgnorth
were not used during 1967/68. A blind housewife continued to
attend the Warwick Row Rehabilitation Centre in the City of
Westminster. A charge of 3s. per day is made plus the cost of
travelling expenses, the cost to this authority being £49 17s. 6d.
for the year.
Kent Association for the Blind
The variety of services provided by this Association continued
to give support to blind and partially-sighted persons either in
groups or individually. The Annual Exhibition and Sale of Work,
together with the quiz, domino and cribbage competitions enabled
blind and partially-sighted persons from all over Kent to meet.
Many friendships have been formed through attending these
functions. Although blind persons have a comprehensive list of
holiday homes to choose from, the majority of those living in the
London Borough of Bromley took their holiday in the Kent
Association for the Blind Home at Cliftonville. In November, the
Association organised a residential course on jewellery for social
welfare officers for the blind. It is hoped that as a result, blind
and partially-sighted persons will become interested in this different
form of craftwork. A member of my staff attended the course. A
nominal grant of £10 per annum was made to the Association by
the London Borough of Bromley.
Social Activities
In April, 1967, a group of blind and partially-sighted persons
had a week's holiday at the Kent Association for the Blind Home
at Cliftonville. A social welfare officer, together with two trainee
welfare officers accompanied the group. During the summer various
social clubs and handicraft classes had outings to South Coast
holiday resorts. The clubs participated in the activities organised
by the Kent Association for the Blind, including the Annual Church
Service held at Margate.