View report page

88
able value. The total spent on this service in 1968 was £1,825.
Social Activities
For the first time arrangements were made for parties of the
physically handicapped to attend the 1968 Thames Regatta which
took place in August, and the Battle of Britain Air Display held
at Biggin Hill in September. Inclement weather did not dampen
the enthusiasm of the handicapped persons attending these events.
In support of "Help the Disabled Week" in October, 1968, the
Department co-operated with local voluntary societies in mounting
a display in the old Bromley Public Library premises. The support
given to the physically handicapped was illustrated by the
photographs and equipment on display.
Bromley Association for the Handicapped
September, 1968 saw the inauguration of the London Borough
of Bromley Association for the Handicapped. The objects for which
the Association is established are to promote an organisation which
will provide the facilities for the fullest co-operation between the
statutory and voluntary bodies in the London Borough of Bromley
working for the welfare of the handicapped and to provide a
channel through which information and opinion in this field may
be exchanged. Three members of staff serve on the Executive
Committee of B.A.T.H.
Welfare Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted
Certification
In the 9 months ending 31st December, 1968, 92 persons were
examined for the first time and a further 34 re-examinations were
made. The total fees paid amounted to £649 13s. 6d. First examinations
accounted for £537 3s. 6d. and the remaining £112 10s. 0d.
was for re-examinations. Of the 126 persons examined 56 were
found to be blind, 63 admitted to the partially sighted register and
the remaining 7 had their names added to the Observation List.
Towards the end of 1968 the Certificate of Blindness—Form
BD8 was revised. All BD8 forms are examined by Professor Sorsby
for research purposes.
Register of the Blind
After adjustments for new registrations, transfers and deletions
from the register, there were 502 persons on the register on the
31st December, 1968, a net increase of 12 on the previous year.
Blind males increased from 164 to 177, whilst the registered blind
females decreased from 1,326 in 1967 down to 325 in 1968.
Employment
The number of blind persons employed in open industry has
increased and the trend for sheltered employment to decrease continued
as it has done throughout the last 12 years. The workshops