During World War Two, the institute was again affected, with workers supporting the war effort by working 10 days for 9 days' pay and producing nets and baskets for the military. In 1948, Helen Keller visited and was appalled by the industrial conditions in which the blind children were being educated, leading to significant changes. By the 1960s a new residential building was started and the ground level was converted into a showroom for the goods. In 1967, the centre was granted a Royal Charter and became the Royal WA Institute for the Blind. "Cane City" the mat shop and retail store was closed in 1989 when it could no longer compete with cheap imports.