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The demand for aids and gadgets continued; these are issued on free loan, and are invaluable in
assisting the handicapped person. Two hundred and four aids such as metal walking frames, hoists, pick-up
sticks, special knives and forks, can openers, etc., were issued.
One hundred and fifty-three applications for adaptations to the home received approval, e.g. provision
of ramps, handrails, ground floor toilet accommodation, etc.
Two hundred and forty-six applicants applied for assisted holidays. One hundred and fifty-seven
were directly arranged by the Council. Under the supervision of social workers, one party spent a week in
May at a holiday camp at Bracklesham Bay and two parties spent 10 days each in August at the Little
Oyster Holiday Camp, Isle of Sheppey. Eight severely handicapped persons went to Crabhill House, South
Nuffield 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 59 applicants were assisted. Thirty
handicapped persons who stayed with relatives or friends received financial aid from the Council.
Further education evening classes on choral, cookery, dancing and pottery were provided by the
Education Committee, and 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 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 13th June. A number of handicapped
were conveyed to and from the Brent Show on 12th and 13th 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 thirty-four congenitally deaf and 30 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 2 Clubs in the vicinity of Brent, meeting fortnightly—the Queensbury Deaf/Dumb Club
and the Wembley and Willesden group of the Middlesex and Surrey League for the Hard of Hearing. 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 five 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 9
women and 2 men; 39, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton, accommodating 7 women and 1 man; and 13, Princes
Court, Wembley and 51, Briar Road, Kenton, both registered to accommodate 7 men or women. The London
Transport Executive (Retired Employees) Housing Association maintains a voluntary home at 100, Forty
Avenue, Wembley, for 53 elderly men.
The Royal London Society for the Blind maintains a residential club for 14 blind men at 63,
Christchurch Avenue, N.W.6, and a similar establishment for 14 blind women at 32, The Avenue, N.W.6.
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf maintains a hostel for 16 deaf youths at 11, Forty Avenue,
Wembley.
All these homes are inspected at regular intervals and a high standard is maintained.
REMOVAL TO SUITABLE PREMISES OF PERSONS
IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 permits the Council to remove to an Institution a
person in need of care and attention; an Order for removal is given by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction,
but seven clear days notice of an intended application must be given. The National Assistance (Amendment)
Act 1951 permits immediate removal, provided the Medical Officer of Health and another Registered
Medical Practitioner certify that it is in the interests of the person to remove him without delay. The
Order in this case can be made either by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction or by a single Justice having such
jurisdiction. The amending Act modifies the period from three months to three weeks for a person to be
detained in the first instance.
Two persons were removed in accordance with the provisions of the Acts, in each case an Order was
obtained from a Justice of the Peace.
Several other cases were investigated during the year, but it was possible by the provision of additional
services such as home help, home nurse and meals-on-wheels to avoid the necessity of statutory action.