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24
Four hundred and four persons were unemployable or unavailable for work; of these, 48 were in
accommodation provided by local authorities, 2 were in other residential voluntary homes and 15 were in
hospital for extended periods.
Two persons were sent by the Council on a 13 week Social Rehabilitation Course arranged by the
Royal National Institute for the Blind at their Bridgenorth and Torquay centres.
Domiciliary visits to both blind and partially sighted persons were made by social workers with
an average case load of 140. Individual teaching was given in both Braille reading and writing, Moon type
reading and typewriting.
Six handcraft classes were held weekly in the afternoons, one of which was commenced during
the year at "Hillcrest" residential home in Wembley. Successful competitors took part in the first Annual
Handcraft Exhibition staged by the Middlesex Association for the Blind in May.
At Brent Show on 10th and 11th September an exhibition, competition and sale of goods, supported
by demonstrations in Braille, canework and stool-seating by unemployable blind persons, attracted
much interest. A sale of work was staged at Brent House on 5th December.
A total of 235 wireless sets have been issued on behalf of the British Wireless for the Blind ; 73
were issued during the year, of which 40 were new sets. The rental of Talking Book machines issued by
the Nuffield Talking Book Library for the Blind was paid by the Council in respect of 123 readers. There
were 60 new issues during the year. Various Braille and Moon magazines were circulated free.
One hundred and thirty-eight free aids, e.g., typewriters, watches, electric shavers to alarm clocks,
pingers and bread cutters, were issued.
Seventy-six applicants applied for assisted holidays. 31 were directly arranged by the Council.
One party, under the supervision of social workers, went to a guest house in Clacton, and the remainder to
holiday homes run by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and the Middlesex Association for the
Blind. Twenty-seven applicants were assisted to have privately arranged holidays, and 18 who spent
holidays with relatives or friends, were also assisted.
There are seven social clubs run by the members or voluntary organisations. One of these is a fortnightly
club for the deaf/blind, under the supervision of a social worker; it was inaugurated during the year.
Social workers assisted in the management of many of the clubs, also serving on the Committees.
Free transport facilities to clubs and classes continued to be provided by the Council.
Partially sighted persons.
On 31st December, there were 168 persons on the register. There were 22 new cases (excluding
re-certifications and transfers from other areas) during the year. Eight persons were transferred to the blind
register, and one de-certified due to improved vision. The classification of partially sighted persons by age
groups is as follows:—
Under 5 years Nil
5—15 22
16—20 15
21—49 30
50—64 29
65 and over 72
Of the 22 children of school age, 18 attend special schools for the partially sighted, 3 attend
ordinary schools, and one is at Lower Place School for the Physically Handicapped. Six children aged 16
and over are still at school.
Of 42 persons 'near and prospectively blind' (aged 16 and over), 9 were employed, one undergoing
training, and 32 incapable or not available for work. Of 45 persons 'industrially handicapped', 39 were
employed, two available and four not available for employment.
Fifty-three persons requiring 'observation' only, mainly over 65 years and unemployable or unavailable
for work, constitute the remainder.
WELFARE OF THE HANDICAPPED
On 31st December, there were 902 persons on the register. There were 203 new cases during the
year. Of the 902 persons, 31 were deaf with speech, 101 were deaf without speech, 27 were hard of hearing,
and 743 constituted general classes. Details of registrations, an analysis of disabilities, and occupational
grouping of the general classes are shown in Tables 24, 25 and 26.
Domiciliary visits made by social workers with an average case load of 150 enabled considerable
general assistance to be given, and ensured regular contact with the handicapped person and the family. Close
liaison with statutory and voluntary bodies, along with allied services was maintained.
General classes of Handicapped persons.
Fifty-six persons continued normal employment in open industry, eight worked in sheltered industry
and five practised a form of home industry.
Six hundred and seventy-four were unemployable or unavailable for work, including 7 children
under 16 years of age. Thirty-six of these were maintained in residential homes.
The Work Centre at Church Lane, N.W.10, supervised by an Industrial Works Organiser and
Assistant, continued to offer part-time occupation of a rehabilitative character to over 32 persons. Light
assembly work was obtained from local factories.