| Description | Interview with Tom Drake, director of the pre-vocational training centre at Torquay. He talks about the expansion of the centre, the range of training and activities offered, the development of specialist tools and computer aids, and the growth of employment opportunities for blind people. He talks about the typical age range and causes of blindness of those who attend the centre for employment training and describes the admission, assessment and rehabilitation process, the structure of the courses and other activities, the different reactions and approach of people who attend and the role of counselling. He debates the need for psychological treatment and discusses the work of other industrial rehabilitation units. He goes on to talk about efforts to help people to integrate during their time at the centre, the difficulties in resettling people who have no previous background or experience of manual work, the range of new careers open to blind people and the practical and emotional support offered by the centre. He emphasises the need for adjustment by people who have previously lived independent lives to come to the centre (tracks 1-8).
Total: 32.50 mins
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF549C0063380 |