View report page

83
Social Activities - Holidays
During April arrangements were made for a party of 26 blind
and partially sighted persons with three helpers to spend two weeks
holidays at the Southlea Hotel, Bournemouth. The participants had
an enjoyable time and received considerable support from local blind
clubs and the Bournemouth Blind Aid Society.
Handicraft Classes
Handicraft classes for the blind and partially sighted
persons are held at Surbiton. Throughout the year, the classes have
been well attended; this has been achieved mainly because transport
is provided by the two sitting ambulances used for the transportation
of the handicapped. Apart from the therapeutic value, the classes
provide an incentive for blind persons to move outside their home
environment.
Kingston upon Thames Association for the Blind
This Association for the Blind, which is a registered charity,
has continued to support the Borough Council with its work for the
blind and partially sighted persons within the borough and has provided
many extras which might not otherwise be available, such as special
equipment, repairs to wireless sets, books, magazines, bedding, fuel,
fires, grocery parcels, cigarettes, toiletries, etc.
Welfare of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Register
The number of persons with total or substantial hearing loss
registered with the department shows an increase of two over the previous
year and the total number on the register at the present time is 104.
The male social welfare officer for the deaf and hard of hearing
was seconded to a two year course for the Certificate of Social Work
during September 1968.
The total persons on the register are as shown in the table on
page 93 and they can be mainly classified as under:
Deaf with speech 19
Deaf without speech 48
Hard of hearing 37