Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
EDUCATION OF THE BLIND
o""viaton for ghildr5ss. ps.ween Seven and
Eighteen Years Of Age.
Industrial Home to BE Established,
With Design of Having 1t PART
1y Self-Supporting.

Plans are under consideration for supply
ing need which is believed to exist in this
city for the care and education of the
blind. For some time past this matter has
been called to the attention of number
of people in the prosecution of charitable
and religious work, by encountering cases
Of persons deprived of sight, who are not
only dependent, but who are without edu-
cation. 1t is found that while, at the cap
ital of the nation, asylums. homes and
hospitals exist for nearly every class OF
the dependent and afflicted, some receiving
aid from the government and others sup
ported wholly by private contributions, nc
provision thus far has been made for the
blind.
1t is stated, however. that children be-
tween the ages of seven and eighteen years
either blind or whose sight is so deficient
that they cannot be educated in the public
schools, on proper applica tion Endorsed by
President Galaudet of the Deaf Mute Col
iege at Kendall Green, and warranted by
the Interior Department, can be educated
at the expense of the government at the
Maryland Academy for the Blind in Bal
tlmOre-
The Work Proposed.
1t has been thought that there could be
tabl:shed in this city Industrial nome
for the blind, to be partly self-supporting.
In such an institution men could be en-
ployed TO care chairs. make baskets, mat
tresses. brooms. repair and tune pianos
and engage in other manual pursuits. The
female inmates could be taught to sew by
hand and or the machine. and could do
all KINDS of fancy work. and might become
experts in the use of the typewriter and
teach music.
1t is proposed by those who have the mat
ter under consideration to make such a
home nOn-scctarian, where both the colored
and white residents of the District could be
received. Already an attempt has been
made TO form sort of register of the blind
and the names of some fifty-siX persons
have been secured. who are living in vari-
Gus parts of the city, and who are in need
CT the assistance that such an institution
would afford. 1t is the desire to make this
register as complete as possible, and per-
sons thus afflicted are requested to send
Their names and addresses to Mrs A. c.
Hunt. 132S New York avenue 1t is the
purpose to hold a meeting, to which all who
are interested or likely to be interested in
such an enterprise are invited to attend.
Plans viii then ne discussed, and it is
hoped that an organization will he effected
which will result in establishing in this
city an institution as above indicated.
Result of InvestisatiOn.
Some interesting. as we'll as pathetic in
cidents in many life histories have been
secured as the result of the investigation
that has thus far been made to ascertain
the number and condition of the blind in
this city. Seine of these afflicted ones are
found trying to earn their living in a vari-
ETY. of ways. Some, however have had no
opportunities to acquire any useful occu-
patton or to he able to render service which
yields a compensation. Some have lost their
sight after having reached mature age and
others have been blind practically from
their birth. Accidents and disease have
played their parts in depriving these poor
people of what is locked upon by some as
the most precious of the five senses. At
any rate, whatever may have been the
cause, the condition of the blind is one that
appeals to the compassion of their more
fortunate fellow creatures and the move
ment which has been started has in view
the doing something in this city which
VIII he of permanent value and benefit TO
tire blind 1t is proposed to adopt Il form
of organization which will interest the
largest numter of people ard secure con-
tri5utions to this NCrk.
Mrs. John Russell Young. who is greatly
interested in the project, has given the use
OF her parlors at her residence, No. 1913 q
street. for the first meeting. which has been
set for Wednesday morning, December S,
at half-past 10.