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National Library for the Blind
The National Library for the Blind provides a free service,
apart from the appropriate charge made to the local authority, of
Braille and Moon books to blind persons of all ages. There is a
comprehensive range of fiction and non-fiction books available and if
sufficient demand exists any particular book will be transcribed.
The Braille and Moon books are sent to and from the library
by post and there is no postage charge.
Talking Books
The Nuffield Talking Book Library provides talking book
machines on loan to registered blind persons over the age of 21 years,
or to persons who have defective vision and can prove by an
ophthalmologist's report that their eyesight is so poor that they
cannot read.
A comprehensive list of books on tape is available from the
library.
The cost of renting a talking book machine is £3 per annum
and the Borough Council has agreed to be responsible for the rental of
up to 20 talking book machines in cases of need. As many patients
pay privately for these machines, the total number of them in use
within the borough is not known, but the number paid for by the
authority in use at the end of the year was 9.
Wireless for the Blind Fund
Wireless sets, both battery and mains operated, are supplied
on loan to registered blind persons who do not have a set of their own.
The British Wireless Fund for the Blind provides the sets and the
distribution is carried out by the social welfare officers for the
blind. 42 blind persons received wireless sets during the year.
Domiciliary Visiting
Two social welfare officers for the blind (home teachers)
concentrate on the care of the blind and partially sighted persons in
the borough. They are generally responsible for making the initial
contact with the newly blind, a task demanding understanding and
knowledge in order to counter the shock both to the person and relatives.
It is necessary at first for a firm relationship to be established by
regular visits, in order to learn the needs of the person and the home
and to deal adequately with problems as they arise.