Middletown transcript., 1915-02-06
PROGRESS OF BLIND
The Workers Wish to Present the
Developments for 1914
THE SHOP HAS MADE Cnnn

peg TO present to their friends and 0en-
erous advocates the industrial develon-
ment OF this work during the calendar
year 1914. No one interested in the
welfare of the blind in Delaware can
but feel gratified at this progress and
deeply touched by the great measure
OF support and patronage which has
been given to this good cause. The
Blind-Shop which was established as an
industrial and humanitarian venture in
plant purchased by private contribu-
ion has made good. 1t has hous ed and
handled the products and industries of
score of ambitious men working under
the handicap of blindness, MANY of
whom are completely self supporting;
1t has given employment and sold the
products of many women; it has formed
the nucleus for the amelioration of the
bind throughout the state, and become
bureau of information and expert ad-
vice for any one losing their sight, and
been the means of restoring them at
once to condition to meet their new
mode of life. 1t has been the head
quarters for the home teaching of the
blind by which the field officer of the
Commission visits the blind in their
homes and gives instruction in the
handicraft open to their condition and
IN reading with the fingers, searching
out the blind child and helping procure
his just right and absolute necessity, of
an education. 1t has operated a consider
able business, given great benefits. upon
a very small appropriation of public
funds, by exploiting sales of products,
thus placing the blind on an economic
rather than a charitable basis, it being
the greatest satisfaction of the respect
ing blind man that his labor pays value
for value.
This venture has been conclusively
demonstrated, but the quarters of the
plant are already crowded, and it is
hoped that additional facilities NAV
soon be provided to meet the increasing
needs of this work This work in Della
ware is unique in the fact that it is a
business proposition, the products of
the blind sold on their merits produce
the costs of the material and labor con-
sumed in their manufacture. In other
states where the industrial institutions
of the blind have heavy private endow-
ment and enormous state appropriations
the problem is simpliied The blind in
Delaware are asking only for tools and
a place to work, and that further con-
sideration on account of their limited
field of activity if they can make an ar
ticle which is value for value competi-
tive with the market they should have
the chance to ply their hands and earn
a self respecting living and become a
support instead of burden upon So
ciety.
The fiscal year ends in April at which
time the regular annual report is issued
but the following figures taken from
the quarterly reports are given for the
calendar year 1914.
The total receipts from sales were
$777O.4 48 of which SAILS. So was paid to
to the blind for labor, and all the de-
partments showed a gain in receipts
over the cost of material and labor used
in manufacture except the broom de-
partment, and in this department a
steady improvement is noted and with
improved machinery and gradual i'm
provement in labor and strict economy
it is expected all will be on a strictly
self supporting basis. The weaving de-
partment made 1895 small rugs, 143
large whole floor rugs and $50 yards of
carpet, and gave employment to three
men most of the time. The chair can
ing department turned out 41O baskets
and repaired 2O2 and gave employment
to two men. The broom shop made
1858 dozen brooms and gave employ,
ment to from five to seven men. Two
piano tuners were kept fairly busy.
Three statesmen vend brooms and other
products of the blind on the streets of
Wilmington, and two in other towns
in the state. Seven women were given
more or less work at their homes. The
Home Teacher made visits throughout
the state and started several new pupils
upon the way of earning something to-
ward a livelihood. One man who is
lately from the hospital with the sight
of his remaining eye obliterated has
been put inside of month on an earn
ing basis and his mental condition
strengthened to meet with courage the
problems of his altered condition in life
and the support of himself and three
children. 1t formerly took great ex-
pense and years of cropping before such
succor came to the newly afflicted,
sometimes after despair and despon-
dency had effected their deadly work
and reclamation was impossible The
figures given above are by no means
all the earnings of the blind Many of
them are plying occupation supported
and encouraged by your Commission.
whose business does not come directly
through the Commission. The circula--
ton of unbiased books to be read with
the fingers was 600 volumes to from II
20 readers. The living apartments have
been liberally patronized by from 10 to
IL blind men of the state who have no
other homes convenient to their work
The colihary department is operated on
"a stricflV pO-onaratiUa haSiS at. 60 nor