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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 is responsible for the rental of talking book
machines in a number of cases where there is need.
Wireless for the Blind Fund
Wireless sets, mainly of the modern transistor type, are
supplied on loan to registered blind persons who do not have a set
of their own. The British Wireless for the Blind Fund provides the
sets and the distribution is carried out by the social welfare officers
for the blind. In certain needy cases new batteries are provided free
of charge by the Kingston upon Thames Association for the Blind,
Domiciliary Visiting
Two full time 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 the
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„ The
social welfare officers teach Braille, Moon, and handicrafts, and also
arrange for the provision of talking books, wireless sets, books and
periodicals. A weekly handicraft class is held in Surbiton.
During the year assistance was given as follows: