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27
WELFARE OF THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED
Blind Persons
On 31st December, there were 551 persons on the register. There were 57 new cases (excluding recertifications
and transfers from other areas) during the year. The majority of referrals for registration came from
hospitals. The classification of blind persons by age groups, and at age of onset of blindness, are shown in
Tables 21 and 22. One hundred and twenty of those registered suffer from additional physical and /or mental
handicaps.
Three children under 5 years of age are at home. Of the 11 children of school age, 4 attend special
schools, one is in a Sunshine Home at East Grinstead, and 2 with dual handicaps attend the Melbreth Training
School for Spastics and Condover Hall for Blind children respectively. Four are unsuitable for school—
one is in Northaw House Children's Hospital near Potters Bar, one attends Neasden Junior Training Centre
and the other 2 remain at home.
Three boys between 16-17 years of age continued their education. Two attend Dorton House and
the other entered Worcester College for the Blind with seven G.C.E.s at "O" level, and is now studying three
art subjects at "A" level standard. A young man of 22 years is studying for a degree in Law at Downing
College, Cambridge.
One hundred and fourteen persons were in full employment, and an analysis of their occupations is
shown in Table 23.
Four hundred and thirty seven persons were unemployable or unavailable for work. Of these, 48
were in residential accommodation provided by local authorities, 3 in other Homes and 13 were in hospital for
extended periods.
One person was sent by the Council on a 13 week Social Rehabilitation Course arranged by the Royal
National Institute for the Blind at Oldbury Grange, Bridgenorth, and 2 persons attended Warwick Row
Rehabilitation Centre, S.W.I, for differing periods.
Domiciliary visits to both blind and partially sighted persons were made by social workers with an
average case load of 147. Individual teaching was given in both Braille reading and writing, Moon type
reading and typewriting.
Four handcraft classes were held weekly in the afternoons and six evening classes organised by the
Education Committee, and eight Social clubs offered variety of occupation. Free transport facilities to classes
and clubs continued to be provided by the Council.
At the Brent Show on 14th and 15th September an exhibition, competition for handcrafts, and sale
of goods made by blind and other physically handicapped persons, was staged. Braille, basketry and light
assembly work were demonstrated.
Seventy-one wireless sets were issued on behalf of the British Wireless for the Blind during the year
bringing the total issued to 290. The rental of talking book machines issued by the British Talking Book Service
for the Blind was paid by the Council in respect of 154 readers; 32 were issued during the year. Various Braille
and Moon magazines were circulated free.
One hundred and seventy-three free aids, e.g. typewriters, watches, electric shavers, alarm clocks,
pingers, bread cutters, etc., were issued.
One hundred and eight applicants applied for assisted holidays. Fifty-three were directly arranged by
the Council. Two parties under the supervision of social workers, and British Red Cross helpers, spent a fortnight
at the Little Oyster Holiday Camp, Isle of Sheppey. The remainder went to holiday homes run by the
Royal National Institute for the Blind, and the Middlesex Association for the Blind.
Thirty-three persons who arranged private holidays and 22 who stayed with relatives or friends received
financial aid from the Council.
Partially Sighted Persons
On 31st December, there were 183 persons on the register. There were 28 new cases (excluding
recertifications and transfers from other areas) during the year. Fourteen persons were transferred to the blind
register.
The classification of partially sighted persons by age groups is as follows:—
Under 5 years 1
5—15 18
16—20 12
21—49 38
50—64 26
65 and over 88
The child under 5 years of age remained at home. Of the 18 children of school age, 14 attend Special
Schools, 3 attend other schools, and one remains at home. Seven of those in the 16—20 years age group are
still at school.
Of 46 persons "near and prospectively blind" (aged 16 and over), 9 were employed and 37 incapable
or not available for work.
Of 46 persons mainly "industrially handicapped" (aged 16 and over), 40 were employed, one is undergoing
training, and 5 not available for employment.
Sixty-five persons mainly over 65 years requiring "observation" only, and unemployable or unavailable
for work, constitute the remainder.