, 1922-10-25
MAN GETS
ANOTHER CHANCE
State Of Wyoming Provides for Re-
training Disabled Citizens.

For three years after 1 became
crippled l worked for my board and
clothes, and not many Of he latter"
said a young Wyoming ranch hand
who had lost a leg as a result of an
accident. He had previously done no
work other than ranching and the loss
OF his leg made him almost useless for
that work, 80 he was indeed in an up-
fortunate situation. Last winter he
learned of the provisions made by the
State Of Wyoming for the r~etraining
OF disabled persons and applied for
training. The young man was visited
by a representative of the State De-
partment Of Education, and a study
was made of occupations for which he
might be prepared. He desired to be
trained as a bookkeeper and office as
sistant and this training is now being
provided. The reports from his in
structors indicate thai he is making
excellent progress and that, In a few
months, he will be self-supporting in
an occupation where the loss of his
leg is not a material handicap.
1t Is no longer necessary for a per
son In Wyoming who is physically dis
or a burden on friends or relatives.
The State has provided for the re-
Mobilization Of such persons, and has
appropriated funds which will help
them to become self-supporting. Many
people know of the rehabilitation
training which Is provided for dis
abled ex-service men. but not so many
understand that the State offers
similar opportunities to people In civil
life who have been disabled by acci-
dent or disease. Much progressive
educational legislation has been en-
acted in Wyoming, but none which is
more progressive than this which *
tends educational opportunities to un-
fortunate people who formerly had
none.
The State Board Of Education is in
charge of the rehabilitation service
and Inquiries regarding the work
should be sent to the State Depart
ment of Education at Cheyenne. No
special schools or courses of study
have been organized for the members
w LuC DOdIu lCti lnal ulodOttu pcODiC
must be treated individually and not
as groups. When handling a Ease two
problems must be solved: First, find
ing an occupation for which the dis
abled person can be trained, and, sec
ond, providing the training. The first
OF these problems Is really the more
difficult. The occupation selected
must be one for which the disabled
person can be properly trained, and
IN which he has fair chances of sue
cess. Whenever possible the previous
training and experience of the appIt-
cant is utilized so that the problem of
training can be made as simple as
possible. Thus the disabled machin-
LIST may use his knowledge Of machin-
cry as a salesman, or the ex-carpen-
ter may become an architect.
After the proper occupation has
been determined, the problem Of pro
viding the training is then taken up.
In some cases this is secured by school
attendance. In other cases such pro
cedure does not e possible, SO the
applicant may be given a correspond
ence course or a special tutor may be
provided In many cases. however.
zone OF these methods can be used,
and the disabled person IL trained by
placing him directly ION the job" A
man. who was totally blinded by an
explosion. wished to learn to weave
carpets. Arrangements were made
and he is new being trained in a shop
where work Of that kind Is done.
The State not only provides for all
costs of training, but in cases where
the disabled person must leave home
while being trained, a maintenance
allowance Of $40 per week is made.
The benefits Of the act apply to any
person who has a physical disability
which serves as a vocational handicap.
n who can be prepared to take up
some other line of work. There are
no restrictions as to the cause of the
disability. and none as to the occupa-
items for which people may be trained.
The rehabilitation work NJ entirely in
dependent of the workmen's Compen-
sation Department, and the training
provided IL offered to persons who
have been disabled In industry or
otherwise. The State Department of
Education is very anxious to learn of
all persons who may be interested In
the benefits of the act, and prompt
attention Will be given to all Letters
Of inquiry. About sixry caseA Of dis
ability have been reported, but It II
probable that there are at least TIVE
hundred other people IN the Stzts for
~horn trutngn~ ~f~kt h. &r~-tA