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51
Community Care
Radio Sets
During the year, 39 new sets were issued to blind persons and wireless licence exemption certificates
were supplied to 48 people. Altogether 161 radio sets are on issue to blind persons in the Borough.
Talking Book Machines
These machines are issued by the Nuffield Talking Book Library, Alperton, at a rental per set
of £3 per annum. The Council pays the rental charges, and at present, there are 120 machines on
issue to blind persons within the Borough. During 1968, 48 new applications were made.
Deaf Blind Persons
During 1968, there were three persons on the register who were deaf and blind and one who
was deaf and partially-sighted.
This Borough shares the services of a specialist Deaf/Blind Social Welfare Officer with the London
Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.
One person from this Borough was again included in a special holiday at Littlehampton arranged
for the deaf blind during the summer.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
This Borough now has 12 persons with guide dogs.
Domiciliary Visits
Social Welfare Officers for the Blind made 1,917 domiciliary visits to blind and partially-sighted
persons, during the year.
Middlesex Association for the Blind
This voluntary association continued to give valuable support to the blind and partially sighted
persons in the Borough, both by assisting financially and by organising functions of interest. The
Association is also responsible for the Holiday Home at Littlehampton.
Social Rehabilitation
During the year one newly blinded person was sent on a course of social rehabilitation at Bridgnorth.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind are responsible for this Centre. These courses are
provided to assist newly blinded housewives to adjust themselves to carrying out their domestic duties
as blind persons.
PEACE TIME EMERGENCIES
Various halls in the Borough have been earmarked for providing temporary shelter for large
numbers of people who may be rendered homeless by fire, flood, air disaster or other emergency.
Fortunately, during the year it was not necessary to use any of them.
BURIALS AND CREMATIONS
The Council has a duty under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, to arrange for
the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been found dead within the Borough,
where no other suitable arrangements have been or can be made for disposal.