The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-30
VISIT TO THE ALABAMA SCHOOL AT TALDEGA
 
Social Service Department Rx MRS. SIDNEY NJ. UIJNIAN


 It is said that no institution In the state is less known than the Alabama School | for the Deaf and Blind at Talladega, and surely no school or institution is deserv- ing of more praise more interest or more consideration than this splendid institu- ton.
 The two schools, which are under one superintendent, have enrolled this year over S21 pupils, including boys and girls, white and black both deaf and blind. In this number 47 different counties are rep resented.
 The school has splendid literary de- partment, as well as a department of mu- sic, in which the children receive reed organ, pipe organ and piano instruc- ticn.
 The school has as an ultimate end, to furnish each pupil. no matter how afflict- ed, with a weapon to defend himself with through life; that is the school has ever ill mind the desire to make the pupil self supporting and the greatest attention is therefore paid to the industrial depart ment.
 SITUATION
 In the school for the deaf we find the boys at work in cabinet making, carpen- try, agriculture, typesetting and job print ing-the pupils selecting, according to their tastes and aptitude, the branch of work they most desire. The girls are trained in llousework, sewing, basketmak ing and fancy work. Hammock making, beadworl and basket weaving are also taught the blind girl A loom on which to weave rag carpets has lately been added and is a splendid addition. Blind boys are taught mattress making, chair seating and the making of brooms. The older boys are taught repairing and piano tuning. Similar industrial work is taught at the negro schcol.
 No school in the state could be more beautifully situa:ed than these buildings, Especially those used by the deaf pupils The middle building of the deaf school is an exquisite piece of old colonial arch lecture, beautiful in design and massive in construction. The building was origi- nally built by the Masons of the state for an orphans home in 1S50 was afterwards used for a girls school and then became the property of the state and has been used for the present purpose since 1869, or thereabouts. The buildings on either side are similar in design, but not nearly so old The blind school is situated 2 short dis tance away from the school for the deaf and is also modern in construction. These buildings are all steam-heated, l have modern fire escapes, and are sit uated on large grounds with great over hanging shade trees and beautiful shrubs. ! Each school has resident superintend- ent, all under one general management.
 HOW SCHOOL IS CONDUCTED The two things that cannot but inn press a visitor to the school at once are the exquisite order and cleanliness and the cheerful attitude of the teachers and pupils MT. Manning, the superintendent, said most people came to the school with the idea that it was such a sad sight to see all the deaf and blind pupils. and on account of this very cheerfulness went {; away almost disappointed We are so apt to feel that we are cheated in our desire | to sympathize when we really ought to rejoice in the finding of sunshine and joy in the lives of the unfortunate, Here everybody Is happy, the teachers are trained in Gha work, but are really working for the joy of service the chil- 1 dren have as companions their own kind and the reticepce of the defective or handicapped child with normal children is not noticeable or felt here at all. INTERESTING CASES IN SCHOOL As pupils may enter the school from ' until 21. the variety of pupils is, of course, one of the interesting phases of the school life. One tiny little blind boy just learning to read with his big, sight less eyes looking around and happy