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141
In the employment field the blind have shown themselves to
be as up-to-date as their sighted colleagues by showing
themselves capable of employment in computer programming and
it is hoped that the pattern of services for other classes of
handicapped will follow along those for the blind and result in
a far greater integration of the handicapped in the community
than exists at present.
Deaf Welfare
Two of the Social Welfare Officers trained in communication
with the deaf have been carrying the heavy burden of looking
after this group of the community and have been tremendously
successful with the club for the deaf which they initiated at
Fullwell Cross Day Centre. In view of the limited understanding
of the problems of the deaf possessed by these officers when
they first commenced this work it says much for their devotion
and hard work that we now have within the Borough a service
which is in frequent contact with most if not all deaf persons
in Redbrldge and which provides effective assistance for them,
not only by visual aids such as the light flashing doorbells,
but by steady social work support and the companionship of
people with similar problems.
Services for the
Physically
Handicapped
The number of physically handicapped on the registers
increased by over 100 during the year and this increase was
reflected by the number of aids and gadgets issued (313), which
was half as much again as the figure for the preceding year.
Similarly the number of adaptations to property increased, 34 of
such jobs have been undertaken ranging from the installation
of a downstairs toilet and shower unit in a house to the provision
of a simple handrail by the bath.
For the first time the Borough took part in the National
Help the Disabled Week and arranged open days at Fellowship
House Occupational Centre, the High Road centre for
the blind and also arranged an exhibition of aids for the
disabled at the Scrafton Road Day Centre for the Elderly.
For the latter co-operation was received from a number of
outside organisations including the Red Cross Society and the
G.P.O. Telephone Service but unfortunately very few people
attended. During this week the inaugral meeting of the Redbrldge
Association for the Handicapped was held and this Association
was formed with the object of promoting the welfare of handicapped
persons resident in the Borough by co-ordinating the
activities of interested organisations.
An average of 25 people attended daily at the Fellowship