Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
INSTITUTION In BALTIMORE
AND ITS WORK.

The Maryland School for the Blind was
founded in 1853 Since its organization
between six hundred and seven hundred
have been instructed within its walls.
While this school is not as large as some
of the other schools Of the United States,
the work it does compares favorably with
that accomplished in the schools of Phila-
delphia, New York and Boston. 1t has
always kept pace with the modern meth
DDS of teaching. The courses in music
and manual training are exceptional.
Pupils who show aptitude in music are
given every opportunity to become fin
ished musicians and may take advantage
of the instruction offered by the Peabody
Conservatory of Music.
The location of the school at 80 East
North avenue, Baltimore, is one of the
most beautiful and appropriate for educa-
tional purposes that could be found any
where.
One of the most important features in
the education of the blind is physical
training. In this particular this school
has not been wanting. A graduate of the
Emerson School of Boston is employed,
who studies the individual needs of each
pupil
Athletics Provided.
Within recent years athletics for the
blind has become new feature. and the
grounds of the Maryland School for the
Blind are now utilized for this purpose.
They are equipped with running track
and other outdoor appliances which are
conducive to the healthful exercise of
blind children. During the present school
year an interstate athletic association of
schools for the blind was organized. and
the pupils of the Maryland School for
he ind Of hn nln OF
competitors.
The New York point system Of tangible
reading and writing is employed. All the
characters are constructed on a base two
dots high by three dots long. The letter
that appears oftenest in the printed page
is represented by one dot in the lower
line, the next by one dot in the upper
line, the next by two dots horizontally, the
next by two dots in the upper line. ETC.,
in the order of most frequent recur-
renee.
There is more literature printed in this
system in the United States, it being al
most exclusively employed by the Amer
lean Printing House for the Blind at
Louisville. Ky.
Method Of Printing.
A recent adaptation of the method OF
printing employed there, which will en-
abe books to be embossed on both sides
of the paper at one revolution of the
press, is likely to establish this system OF
embossed printing on SO firm basis as
eventually to preclude the use of any
other system by the blind in this coun-
try, if not in the world.
Even before this adoption was made,
this system was acknowledged to be the
most scientific as well as the most practi-
cal of all.
After the purely educational features
are provided for in the scheme Of educa-
tion attention is directed along the line
of trades. The broom shop in connection
with the school is one of the most sue
cessful of the country. About fifteen blind
men have regular employment. and the
SAFES during the past year amounted to
about $4,000
instruction is also given in mattress
making. chair-caning and other kinds of
handicraft adapted to the blind. Nothing
is left undone that can aid in placing the
graduates in position to be self-support-
ing and respected citizens.