The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-04
What Might Be Done For The Blind.
First Preuent Much Of the Blindness, Then Treat the Sightess SaneLy and Teach Them Useful Things.


masseur. or whatever he may be. prof. ttable employment. There are such organiza tions in Europe that use every effort to bring industrial training within reach of all the blind. and are the channels through which the true end of education and charity for the sightless Is achieved.
 Necessity of Business Training.
 In America. where the struggle Tor existence is less severe, and where money is more plentiful. we have been long coming to realize the necessity of fitting each individual for a self supporting life Our education has been administered to all children alike, without regard for their capacities or circumstances. Consequently most children leave school unprepared for a trade or industry or profession. This general state of American education has complicatd the dimculties or the sightless. Excellent schools for their instruction, established on sound prin- ciples. have existed since 1882 when the first institutions for the blind were opened in Boston and New York. But they have laid little or no stress upon industrial training. Their system or education has the same faults as that in the ordinary American schools TOT the seeing. Besides. our institutions for the blind are intended for children
  much interest in the adults Until re- gently we have had nothing which cor, responds to the societies for the ollnu in Europe and the associations wnlch have lately formed in two or three American States are scarcely beyond the stage of tentative effort.
 One great difficulty of the adult blind ,s that of the thousands of occupa- lions in which men engage, only very few will ever be possible TOT the siehtless. The occupations in which they have already succeeded are the manufacture of mattresses, brooms: brushes, mats, baskets. some kinds oI carpentry and weaving. coppihs' typewriting. piano-tuning massage, knitting. chocheting ana 'ia,n sewing. They have also succeeded to some extent as travelling salesmen and agents. There Is opportunity for them in news. stands, tobacco and candy shops and other small businesses. NO doubt other occupations and lndustries will be found for them.
 But even a few occupations are sur fcient for them all, if the trade ana the man are fitted one to the other anu both are properly advanced m the hu ryinS market-place of life. The practi- cal failure of many graduates or our schools for the blind Is rooted In the entire problem of education. But m addition to these there Is class whose nroblem is not strictly educational- those who have lost their sight In ma ture years.
 Difficulties In Getting Work to DO
 The lot of an idle graduate or. a school who has learned how to be blind is hard enough. He leaves scnooi flushed with hope and courage. lie thinks he can brave the world ana con ouer 1t. Perhaps he hears or a posi- tion as teacher and makes the neces- sarv application. His application Is refused because he cannot see. ne learns of another position and applles for it in person, passes all the t.sts ;s and examinations success1ully, ana 10 nraised for his ability. Still his ser vices are not accepted because 1t IS not thought possible for him to teach even music as we'll as a seeing man. ie. no has been fitted to teach music. lie nas ayen studied under masters:
 If a. young blind man, educateo anu trained in the dark, loses couIase
 ter repeated failure. what must De the See1in es of one who Is suddenly strick- en blind in mine or factory? Blighted amhitions. sorrow, bitterness and de- snair "What will become of me? Who wiIl feed and clothe my little ones! Must I live useless always, an oDJec. of charity?" These are the questiohs that rack nIu. I16 cheerful; but happy he cannot be, un, less he finds occupation. His unused faculties will rust. The light of intel lirence fades from his countenance' His hands grope for the tool that acci- dent has snatched away.
 What shall we do to alter this cono'- tion of the blind in America? First or all it is necessary to awaken pupiic interest in matters concerning the siehtless An enlightened public sen timent is the only power In demnc- racy that can bring about ana man tain the betterment of any class. when inc public understands the pima man. his needs and capacltles' there will be an end to the more sPe- ciaI causes which we find partly re- snonsible for present conditions Tn tniS countrv-lack of enthusiasm, tntelil- 9ence and cooperation on the part or those who have charge or the ihe'i tutions for the blind. ...
 The superintendents Of these ihs. tutions. dependent on boards or trus tees who know almost nothing aoout the needs of these institutions ana the difficulties of the blind. trusted by a nuhlic which is not informed. are or fen men of indifferent attainment welded to petty theories, and unpro- eressive. They are generally kind' ana believe that they have the best inter ests of their charges at heart. but 'he