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26
WELFARE OF THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED
Blind Persons
On 31st December, there were 535 persons on the register. There were 57 new cases (excluding
re-certifications and transfers from other areas) during the year. The majority of referrals for registration
came fom hospitals. The classification of blind persons by age groups is shown in Table 21. Ninety of
those registered suffer from additional physical and/or mental handicaps.
Five children are under five years of age. Of the eight children of school age, five attend special
schools, the remainder are unsuitable for education at school. One young man who left school at 16 years
of age entered pre-vocational training.
Ninety-five persons were in full employment, and an analysis of their occupations is shown in Table
22.
Four hundred and twenty-six persons were unemployable or unavailable for work.
Domiciliary visits to both blind and partially sighted persons were made by social workers.
Individual teaching was given in both Braille reading and writing, Moon type reading and typewriting.
Two handcraft classes were held weekly in the afternoons, six evening classes organised by the
Education Committee and nine 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 12th and 13th September, an exhibition, competition for handcrafts, and sale
of goods made by blind and other physically handicapped persons, were staged.
Fifty wireless sets were issued on behalf of the British Wireless for the Blind during the year bringing
the total issued to 287. The rental of talking book machines issued by the British Talking Book Service for
the Blind was paid by the Council in respect of 156 readers; 12 were issued during the year. Various Braille
and Moon magazines were circulated free.
One hundred and thirty free aids, e.g. typewriters, watches, electric shavers, alarm clocks, pingers,
bread cutters, etc., were issued.
One hundred and forty-seven applicants applied for assisted holidays. Sixty-four were directly
arranged by the Council, and 41 persons who arranged private holidays and 42 who stayed with relatives
or friends received financial aid from the Council.
Partially Sighted Persons
On 31st December there were 198 persons on the register. There were 22 new cases (excluding
re-certifications and transfers from other areas) during the year. Four persons were transferred to the blind
register.
The classification of partially sighted persons by age groups is as follows;—
Under 5 years NIL
5—15 19
16—20 11
21—49 44
50—64 27
65 and over 97
Of the 19 children of school age, 18 attend special schools and one attends ordinary school.
Fifty-six persons were in full employment, one undergoing training and 6 actively seeking and
capable of work.
One hundred and sixteen persons were unemployable or unavailable for work.
WELFARE OF THE HANDICAPPED
There were 308 new registrations during the year, and on 31st December, 1,424 persons were on the
register. Of these 33 were deaf with speech, 101 deaf without speech, 30 were hard of hearing and 1,260 were
in the general classes. Details of registrations, an analysis of disabilities and occupational grouping of the
general classes are shown in Tables 23, 24 and 25.
Domiciliary visits made by social workers enabled 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
Sixty-nine persons continued normal employment in open industry, 67 worked in sheltered industry
and 35 practised some form of home industry.
There were 1,089 persons, including 12 children under 16 years of age, who were unemployable
or unavailable for work. Sixty-one of these were maintained in residential homes.
The new Rehabilitation/Work Centre at Carlton Avenue East opened on 15th June 1970. The premises
were formerly the Headquarters of the Civil Defence. It is estimated that the final cost of adaptations,
fees and furniture and equipment will be £12,375. The new Centre operates for two sessions per day, five
days per week, and has a capacity of 50 workers per session. Light assembly work is carried out for various
firms and the workers are transported to the Centre by Council transport, public transport or travel in their
own vehicles. An Industrial Works Organiser delivered work to 28 persons in their own homes. On the
opening of the new Centre, the old Centre at Church Lane, N.W.10 was closed.