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the year, and undoubtedly filled a great need of the blind. A total
of 7 Sales of Work were held during the year and goods were sold to the value
of £122. A display of specialised equipment available to blind persons was
on show at the Town Hall, Wallington, in May and this proved most interesting.,
Sutton Association for the Blind
This newly formed Sutton Association for the Blind has
again proved of great assistance to the department throughout the year.
£89 was spent at Christmas on presents for blind people in hospital and
those bedridden in their own homes. Assistance has also been given in cases
of hardship towards holidays, redecorations, and the following items were
purchased and issued by the Association
36 radio batteries} 50 white sticks} 24 walking frames;
50 packets of self-threading needles.
I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my most
sincere thanks for the Association's good work in the field of blind welfare.
In addition, the following aids are issued by the Welfare
Department :-
Braille alarm clocks; wristlet watches} playing cards; dominoes}
jig-saw puzzles} writing paper} special writing frames} Braille or Moon books.
Wireless for the Blind Fund
The department acts as agents to this fund in the distribution
of wireless sets to persons who will benefit and during the year 30 sets
were issued.
Mention should also be made of the work of the Sutton Friendly
Club for the Blind, which in conjunction with the Social Welfare Officers for
the Blind organise a very successful social and recreational club for the
blind each fortnight. The club undoubtedly fills a great need of the blind
and it is pleasing to note that the attendance at the meetings average 70.
General Welfare of the Blind
The Royal National Institute for the Blind advises that
there are 130 talking book machines on rental to blind persons throughout
the Borough of Sutton. Of this number, 32 rentals at £3 per annum are met
by the Welfare Committee on behalf of blind people in receipt of Ministry
of Social Security allowance. In addition to this service, a grant was also
made to the National Library for the Blind in respect of 23 blind readers
who regularly obtained books from this source.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
There are now 7 guide dog owners in the Borough, one of whom
is both deaf and blind. Guide dogs are not normally granted to people with a
serious hearing defect, but in this particular case an exception was made.
The guide dogs make a very significant contribution to the mobility of
non-sighted persons and enable them to enjoy a freedom of travel and independence
as well as companionship in a world that can sometimes be extremely lonely.
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