New-York tribune., 1907-04-16
WORK AMONG THE BLIND
Secretary Of NeSU York association
Speaks to Monday Club.

Mss Winifred Holt secretary of the New York
Association for the Blind. spoke on the work OF
her organization before the Monday Club in the
rooms Of the Children's Aid Society No p Scher-
Ynerhorn street Brooklyn, last night
The New York association has been organized one
year II occupies the third floor at No. - East
-Srh street, Manhattan. 1t Is maintained entirely
ny voluntary contributions. and its present quar-
iers are altogether small for it's requirements.
The work is largely among the adult blind who
are altogether unprovided for by the state-outside
the aImshouse. The association takes charge Of
the training OF children less than eight years
old.
Miss Holt exhibited lantern slides. showing the
associations teachers and pupils work At
present there are three blind women and four blind
men employed instructors. besides several blind
outside workers. In the year that the association
has been in existence. # has trained several blind
people 10 ill outside positions. The twenty-five
pupils who have been at work in the associations
rooms have made 4s2S rugs and recaned ASH
chairs.
The telephone company has assisted by placing
at the disposal OF the association several switch
boards which blind girls are taught TO operate.
Three girls have been trained and now hold
positions about town and are giving ample salts
faction.
It is Miss Holts opinion that blind people can be
trained 10 be almost anything except painters and
sculptors, and that IL IS the duty and economic
responsibility OF the train its blind to take
care Of themselves rather than 10 put them in
almshouses She said:
What shall We do for the adult blind? They form
three-Guartes OF al the blind persons in the
Try. They are helpless until they shown the
road and learn how TO be blind. Without friends
and money, they must become inmates OF aims
houses and lead lives Of helpessness and associate
with the most degraded classes. There is in
dustrial shop here and in Manhattan. but they
II is estimated that two-ffths Of the blind need
not have lost their sight. Where there are now
.TfT NE
twenty-five thousand could have been saved from
by proper safety devices for their protection while
work. or by refrailing from the incompetence
that caused them TO become diseased. The assc-
claIen mas been taxing q census or the ohnd of
the state So far. 5.53 cases have been recorded,
and il IS apparent that there are more than six
thousand cases.
our investigations have shown that most cases Of
blindness occur among the poor. especially the cN-
trenely poor The parents must go TO work and
blind babies suffer greatly in consequence: They
eyes This abit often causes blood poisoning. The
results are frequently idioCy and death The @sso-
ciation is TRYING 20 secure admissio for the blind
babies TO day nurseries where they viii come into
contact with sighted children. They should never
be placed with abnormal children The state is
spending s1o-G0 annually for the education or us
Blind persons who have been properly educated
oy the educared Blind in England France and Ger
rnanv are able 10 take care of themselves. have
from schools with honors and have nor known how
70 support themselves. II Is the duty OF every
70 earn their own living The state makes no pro-
vision for the adult blind or those who become
hind after their school days TLeir only resort IS
The blind can be taught almost anything but
rainfinc We have blind barbars blind mechanics
who operate scroll saws, Hind piano tuners. blind
broom an1 basket and rug makers II is the DUTY
Sc tlat its blind people are enabled 10 become
sef-surporting and self-respecting citizens.