New-York tribune., 1907-08-29
AN EXTRAORDINARY NEW CURE.
BLIND OF NEW YORK.
Mss Holt Tells Contention What Is
Being Done for SightIesS.
The Sketch.

The fate OF many intelligent and capable hu-
man beings who happened to become biind after
childhood has heretofore been in New York worse
than that of slaves said Miss Winifred Hot' In
addressing the ninth convention of the American
Plain. Mass, yesterday The Law did not permit
4 b.7d man 10 beg" Miss Holt continued! neither
could he steal Unless he a capitalist or will
ing be dependent on his friends. the alrnshouse
was his only future. So for these people the New
York Association the Blind was founded
Although the society grew out Of an attempt 70
give pleasure TO the blind, the origlnators or the
plan quickly recognized that the radical necessity
of the sigl2tless not pleasure but work Yet
the development of blind industry Is only part OF
the work of the association
We recognize happiness and diversion as an
essential part of the life of our blind people, salu
Miss Holt. Most organizations for the heip
OF the blind have tried simply to give them an
opportunity for wage earning 1t has been Ielt
largely for young association TO emphasize the
great Importance of pleasure and beauty IN educa-
tional work for the adult blind. and TO recognize
that not only they good. but essential for the
best results. With this in mind our original
effort, the ticket bureau, Is still an important ana
vital part of work. Our blind man Will cane
better chairs if he occasionally hears an amusing
play. Our blind woman will make more exquisite
and mora marketable things # she has the sound of
beautiful music in her memory as she WORKS. we
have regretted for a moment the amount
we have expended in printing and postage ana
personal effort TO make our ticket bureaus sue
cesses They have been splendid introducuons TO
the blind, and have had great effect in bringing
them into friendly relations with their neighbors
A blind person receives extra ticket for his
euide This helps him at become social
centre, instead of a social exile. AT last ne Is
not asking for something, but he has something to
give Often those who socially and education
ally more fortunate than he will In this way be-
come interested in him, with a lasting benefit to
both. We encourage outings and games, and are
soon TO try dancing and skating, In fact. our
men have been clamoring for some time for a
dance
The first work undertaken by the association was
a census Of the blind of New York State. This was
begun privately and continued for the New York
State Commission for the Blind, which appointed
the secretary of the association. Miss Edith Holt.
director of the census.
I'VE are glad" said Miss Holt, that no less an
authority than the head statistician Of Columbia
University has told that census of the blind
just taken is step in advance OF the best work
OF the kind which had been done before we raised
the standard of what personal detailed censuses
could be This work could not have been accom-
and the second Commission for the BIND
of New York might have been forced TO suspend
association had not been able, fortunately to leId
Sc go TO the commission to complete its task. and
also to give office free Of expense and 2
volunteer director. We still discovering more
blind persons and estimate that the entire number
OF the blind in the state is about 500
The class which the association has had most
difficulty in reaching, Miss Holt SAID was the
blind sighted public
The convention opened Tuesday morning. with
delegates attendance from all over the United
States, as well from Canada and England. AL
the opening session there was an address by Miss
Helen Keller, of the Massachusetts, Commission for
the Blind. In the evening there was session on
prevention and reduction of blindness with DR..
F Park Lewis, of Buffalo. chairman of the New
York State Commission for the Blind, as chlef
sneaker DR.. Lewis recently Instrumental In
starting an association for the blind in Buffalo.