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(i) Registered as blind 323
(ii) Partially sighted 63
(iii) Defective sighted 14
all of whom were under the supervision of the County
Council's Home Teachers. During the year 3 blind
residents participated in the Home Workers' Scheme
operated through the agency of the Royal London
Society for the Blind, and I was employed in aWorkshopfor
the Blind. In addition, 30 blind and 7 partially
sighted residents were employed in open industry.
During 1959, 2 blind residents from the Borough
were admitted to homes for the blind.
(3) Deaf or Dumb and other Handicapped Classes.
The Welfare Committee of the County Council
has continued to develop its activities in respect of
welfare services for permanently and substantially
handicapped persons (other than blind, as mentioned
above) as provided for under Section 29 of the National
Assistance Act, 1948, and in addition to direct provision
such as special equipment on loan, grants
towards the cost, of structural adaptations to meet
special needs, etc. the fullest co-operation has been
maintained with specialised organisations in this
field of welfare services, many of these bodies actting
as the Council's agents in this connection.
An Occupational Centre for the physically handicapped
has been opened at Barking and this is used,
amongst others, by suitable handicapped persons
from the Borough of Ilford. In addition, Visiting
Officers have been appointed to assist in the work
amongst handicapped persons and they will be instrumental
in the ascertainment of individual needs,
giving advice and also instruction in handicrafts,
especially to the home-bound."
In Ilford the scheme for other handicapped persons,
sofar as voluntary action is concerned, has been delegated to
a Sub-Committee of the Ilford Social Service Association of
which the Medical Officer of Health is Chairman.