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23
General Classes of Handicapped Persons
Sixty-seven persons continued normal employment in open industry, 38 worked in sheltered industry
and 29 practised some form of home industry.
Nine hundred and sixty-seven, including nine children under 16 years of age, were unemployable or
unavailable for work. Fifty-three of these were maintained in residential homes.
The Work Centre at Church Lane, N.W.10, supervised by two Industrial Works Organisers and an
Assistant, continued to offer part-time occupation of a rehabilitative character to 35 persons. Light assembly
work was obtained from local factories.
In February 1969, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government issued loan sanction in the sum of
£18,750 which enabled the Council to secure the former Civil Defence Headquarters in Carlton Avenue East
for use as a rehabilitation/work centre until such time as the premises are required for the extension of the
adjoining telephone exchange. A scheme for the adaptation of the premises, including estimates of cost, was
approved by the Department of Health and Social Security in July. Tenders for the works were invited in
October, and the lowest tender of £8,678 was accepted by the Council which together with fees of £1,500
and equipment of £2,200 amounted to £12,378. The works commenced early in January 1970, and in due course
the Centre at Church Lane will be transferred to these premises.
The demand for aids and gadgets continued; these are issued on free loan, and are invaluable in
assisting the handicapped person. Three hundred and thirty-three aids such as metal walking frames, hoists,
pick-up sticks, special knives and forks, can openers, etc., were issued.
One hundred and ten applications for adaptations to the home received approval, e.g. provision of
ramps, handrails, ground floor toilet accommodation, etc.
Two hundred and eighteen applicants applied for assisted holidays. One hundred and three were
directly arranged by the Council. One party, under the supervision of social workers, spent a fortnight in
August at The Little Oyster Holiday Camp, Isle of Sheppey and another spent a week in September at Gibsons
Holiday Camp, Bracklesham Bay. Fourteen severely handicapped persons went to Crabhill House, South Nutfield,
run by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service Winged Fellowship. The Jewish Association for the Physically
Handicapped, and the Shaftesbury Society also provided holidays for those requiring orthopaedic
designed homes which make full provision for severe disabilities. Most homes are situated within easy reach
of the sea, or in the country.
Families are encouraged to arrange a united holiday privately, and 63 applicants were assisted. Thirtyeight
handicapped persons who stayed with relatives or friends received financial aid from the Council.
Further education evening classes in choral, cookery, dancing, drama and pottery were provided by
the Education Committee received an increasing response. Closer integration between all classes of handicapped
persons has developed voluntarily through these shared interests. British Red Cross workers continued
to teach crafts weekly at two handcraft classes held during the afternoon at 170/172 High Road, Willesden,
and St. John's Church Hall, Wembley. Four Social clubs continued to be run by voluntary organisations.
The Spastics Society donated a Challenge Cup to be presented annually for the best handcraft article
made by a physically handicapped person (other than the blind) in competition held at the Welfare Exhibition
stand at the Brent Show.
The Council continued to provide free transport facilities, including the use of specially adapted
coaches with rear tail hoists to accommodate wheel chairs, and adapted minibuses designed for easy access
and comfort. Four special coaches were loaned free of charge to the Willesden Association for the Welfare
of the Handicapped for their annual outing to Sunbury-on-Thames on 21st June. A number of handicapped
were conveyed to and from the Brent Show on 13th and 14th September, Additional transport facilities were
provided for summer outings.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons
Help has been afforded to the deaf and hard of hearing both in the social and employment field.
One hundred and twenty-nine congenitally deaf and twenty-nine hard of hearing are on the register.
Most of the hard of hearing are affected due to accident after birth.
The greater number in both categories are between the ages of 16—49; many of whom were gainfully
employed. In the field of employment, the closest co-operation is maintained between the Department of
Employment and Productivity and the Council, in seeking to provide suitable and appropriate work.
There are two Clubs in the vicinity of Brent, meeting fortnightly; the Queensbury Deaf/Dumb Club,
and the Wembley and Willesden groups of the Middlesex and Surrey League for the Hard of Hearing, run
by voluntary committees. The Council provides transport to the latter.
Close liaison has been maintained with voluntary organisations such as the Royal Association in
Aid of the Deaf and Dumb, the South East Regional Association for the Deaf, and the Middlesex and Surrey
League for the Hard of Hearing, to all of which the Council makes a grant, and also the Royal National
Institute of the Deaf concerned with general welfare and training of officers at the College of Deaf Welfare.
REGISTRATION OF DISABLED PERSONS' OR OLD PERSONS' HOMES
Section 37 of the National Assistance Act, 1948 requires disabled persons' and old persons' homes
to be registered by the Council. There are three private old persons' homes on the register—22, St. Gabriel's
Road, N.W.2, accommodating 16 men and women; 28, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton, accommodating nine
women and two men; and 39, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton, accommodating seven women and one man. The
London Transport Executive (Retired Employees) Housing Association maintains a voluntary home at 100,
Forty Avenue, Wembley. During the year the Home was extended and the number of elderly men
accommodated was increased from 30 to 53.