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77
Aids and Adaptations
At the 31st December 1965 there were 28 requests for
adaptations and aids still to be completed and during the present
year ~J2 further applications were received, making a total of 100
to be dealt with. 12 of these were completed, leaving 28 still
to be done. The 12 completed aids were as follows:
Bathroom aids (special seats,
rails etc.) 27
Ramps for invalid chairs 8
Structural alterations to premises 4
Others ( walking aids, lifting
poles etc.) 33
Employment
Local authorities are given wide powers for promoting the
employment of physically handicapped persons. Many of the persons
included on the register are in fact fully employed and self supporting.
During the year under review no one has been placed in sheltered employment,
as distinct from residential accommodation under Part III of the
National Assistance Act, 1948.
Outwork
It was unfortunately not possible to reintroduce an outwork
scheme during the year under review due to economies that had to be
made in reduced estimates and the lack of adequate staff to operate
this service.
Provision has been made in the estimates for the coming year
for the purchase of a suitable vehicle and with theemployment of an
additional occupational therapist and technical instructor, it is hoped
that a small scheme may again be in operation towards the end of next
year.
Outwork for severely handicapped and some elderly persons has
considerable therapeutic value and every effort will be made to
reintroduce and expand this service.
Trade Orders
Many patients continue to produce articles of high quality
under the direction of the occupational therapists and regular orders
from the trade continue to be received.
During the coming year it is hoped to amend the procedure
whereby patients purchase materials and sell their produce to the trade
because the long delay in the receipt of payment from the trade often
gives rise to some hardship. It is hoped to arrange for the borough