Milford chronicle., 1936-05-15
IN STATE
SEEK PENSION

lOOHfIHHe9 from FHSF rage
for all their ills." Mrs. Stevens add
ed, "but at least it would be a de-
gree of economic security to which
they are entitled.
Families Unable To Aid
During the present economic
stress, families of many of our
blind people have sought aid for
relatives formerly cared for by them
without outside help. With unem-
plOyment so acute, these families
have been unable to assist financial
ly in the care of relatOives. UnfOr-
tunately we have no funds for direct
assistance. However, we have help
ed start some of these unfortunate
ones towards self-help or to tide
them over a period of misfortune"
The view of the Delaware Com
mission for the Blind is: Pensions"
Pensions" Mrs. Stevens says, PRO
vide economic aid for the unem-
plOyable and aged blind. For those
whose earnings are inadequate 1t is
supplementary. In cost states 1t is
administered on a sliding scale, ac-
cording to the needs of the individ-
ual, thus raising annual incomes to
standards required to guarantee a
modern livelihood. Furthermore, It
offers a substantial degree of secur- |
ity to workers without sight when /
they shall retire from active service. /
Il is not an instrument to be used
in satisfying personal desire, but /
benevolent measure, adopted to pro-
mote the welfare of needy blind peO- |
pie
Survey OF State Made
"As the basis on which to start.
Blind has made a survey to direct it,
together with a case history of every
blind man, woman, and child in the
State. There are in New Castle
county 144, in Kent 95, and Sussex
73, making a total for the State of
8l2 blind persons, approximately 292
of whom would be eligible for a pen
sion.
"The Delaware Commission for
the Blind does not believe in segre-
cation of the blind, but that the
blind should live in the community
and participate in community life
rs much as possible. For this reason
It never advocates institutional care
except in exceptional cases. With
he promise of a system of blind,
.hese blind people could remain in
heir own homes with their relatives
and in surroundings familiar to
hem" Mrs. Stevens declared.
1T is by far a more humane and
desirable arrangement than institu-
iOnal care. These contacts with
heir friends, participation in COM
nunity activities and knowledge of ,
current events, all are of vital i'm
DoFtance to the fullest development
# the blind persons personality" {
he said.
Says Act Provides Aid
THE federal government under +
he social security act, Mrs. Stevens a
provides funds for as a
istance to those states that already d
ave blind relief Some of these
tates had to make amendments to o
he act to conform with the require F
lents of the social security act. The d
honey is now available, but until e
delaware has such a law, it cannot e
anticipate in these federal funds o
he government will pay up to SIS n
month, to be matched by state il
Ands. During the next two years it
expected that all states which d
ave hitherto neglected the blind "
ill be making some provision for r.
lem. Il
THE rights of each recipient
lould be determined by Individual al
eeds, rather than by the fact of ia
per Sc. 1t is primarily for bl
le unemployable blind, but should is
e liberal enough to permit earnings M
nd other income to be supplement
/ by the pension in full or in part. sc
lie total not to exceed a specified III
Should Delaware pass a
ind relief law the future interests u'
the blind in the State will be hi
Osely associated with this type of te
lief or pension. In states where g
is already In effect shows that it w
the basis of livelihood for many "a
ind residents" Mrs. Stevens said. VI
Pensions In q. S. Vary ~ ~
In states where financial assis-
ice is granted the amounts vary MI
ON $3.50 a year in New Hamp-
ire to 5000 I'm Kansas. The terms
nsion and relief are used indis- Fl
in some of the state
VS. providing for the blind. In gen. m,
al "relief" is administered on
sis of need and pension" is gr
t rate of payment. not adjusted
the individual needs Of the recip-
1t.
Nm no way will the Inauguration
pensions for the blind in Della
ire mark the completion of the cai
activities" Mrs. Ste In
ms said. BO
1T will simply mean that. the for
will be in a better posi- Sc
n to go one with the work which, Wi
er all, can only be said to have kiT
=