New-York tribune., 1907-10-30
NO GUIDES FOR BLIND.
Many Declared from Glasses for
Lack of Persons to Lead Them.

The New York Association for the Blind has
passed an important milestone in its difficult jour
nev IT has a home Hitherto II has been shell
tered in the home OF its founder, Miss Winifred
Holt Now, with the large house at Nc. us East
6Sth street fitted up for its sole use. with ample
clubrooms and workrooms, with salesrooms for the
sale of articles made by the blind and large front
windows where these articles can he displayed 10
the passersby II is IN position TO DO many things
which could not be undertaken before.
For one thing. classes are now meeting regularly
at the association home. classes of blind girls in
basketry. knitting and other things. The girls
go there every day. except Saturday, arriving at ?
o'clock and staying until 4. OF course. they do
not work all the time. Twice a week they have
choral practice, and they enjoy the singing I'M
mensely. Hot soup and coffee always pro-
vided for them at noon. and they sit at the tables
together and eat their luncheons, which they bring
and laugh and talk. These may sound like simple
pleasures, but they mean great deal TO girls and
women who have many Of them. sat ar home with
empty hands through long days Of darkness be-
cause there was no one 10 show them their capa-
bities
The classes are fairly large but they would be
much larger If only guides could be found to bring
the blind people from their homes and take them
back again at night.
THAT, is one of our great problems" said one of
the workers at the association. The blind live
IN so many different parts OF the city, some Of
them quite near. but some up IN Harlem or over
in Brooklyn. and. Of course they cannot come here
alone II does seem pity. when we have facilities
here for teaching and occupying number Of blind
people, that some of those who want so much 10
come are helpless TO do so because we have no
guides for them"
The salesroom is on the ground floor OF the build
ing. Some of the things shown there-all made by
the blind-are wonderful in the perfection of their
making. There ornamental boxes Of stained
wood made by blind men. admirable for shirtwaist
boxes, or wood boxes for people who are fortu-
nate enough to have an open fire. There are in
genious ''canoe top tables, rag rugs which no
sighted workers could improve Upon and all kinds
Of knitted articles. One showcase is filed with
babies weaT-tiny socks and Shoes little caps and
sacques, all made by blind s'omen. There are
dolls too and everything that dolls could need in
stsss- 81 broonas. Eade By ths- blind men at the
associations woTkroonls in 42d street And there
IS large Teddy bear. which old woman who
belongs to the Blind Womens Club made and gave
the association for 2 mascot.
Down IN the basement the whole floor is turned
into one large room. Here the piano stands. and
here the clubs meet and the girls have their lunch
at noon. IN the cellar below the basement
lavatores and places where wraps may be
hung. There are arrangements. too for preparing
refreshments when entertainments given at
the house.
II is said that blind people are very successful
in doing massage work and giving scalp treat
ments. They have a delicacy and sympathy Of
touch that seems TO 1T them specially for that. II
IS hoped that, with the home of the association at
No. l1S East 59th street a centre, employment
be found for n number of blind people as mas
seuses. There rooms for the purpose in the
house and anybody who wants a massage or a
shampoo have Il there by making an appoint.
ment.
Sometimes the association helps blind people by
helping their relatives to get work In case that
recently came 10 the associations notice the hus-
band and father had lost his sight The association
found work for the wife by which she supports
the family. while the man, who can get about the
house in spite OF his blindness, keeps the rooms
clean and cooks the meals.