Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-04-22

nuuuICuo VI MAOuldAAAC VIM
suffer injuries which in the past
would have left them unable to
secure a livelihood, are now part
of the states economically and
socially useful. Through Mon
tana's Bureau of Vocational Re
habilitation-SuperviSed by Left
Fredericks, man long experienced
in this sort of wOrk-hope and OPP
portunity are brought to many. A
brief review reveals the federal voca-
tional rehabilitation act approved in
1920, provides for the promotion of
vocational rehabilitation of persons dis
abled in industry or otherwise, and
their placement in employment" The
act also provides for cooperation with
the states In carrying on the work,
placing administrative responsibility
ments must be matched dollar for
dollar.
The state board of education Is
charged with the responsibility OF adj
ministration under the federal act.
No age or sex restrictions are inn
posed, except that to be eligible for
service a person must be of employ
able age" Children under 16 years Of
age are not eligible.
Law in 1921
Montana's rehabilitation act was
passed by the legislative assembly of
1921, and was sponsored by Howard
A. johnson, now chief justice Of the
state supreme court.
For the past is years work IN this
state has been under the supervision Of
Fredericks who for several years follow
ing the war was chief Of the rehabili-
tation division of the United States
veterans bureau. Three years ago
James WHISKY of Great Falls was APP
pointed field agent WHISKY was also
formerly connected with the veterans
send is the bureaus secretary.
Hundreds Put to Work
Since the work has begun in Mon
tana hundreds of persons who have
been handicapped have been restored
to social usefulness and economic In
dependence, records show.
Bureau statistics reveal the average
number Of active cases during the past
three years were 100, with from go to
20 fully trained and employed each
year.
Every Montana county is represent
ed, and training facilities In all the
larger cities have been utilized.
The rehabilitation bureau has no
training school of its own, but makes
use of private and public educational
institutions and commercial shops.
When training Is not available in
Montana, those being equipped to en-
gage in gainful occupation are sent out
Of the state. At present 2 handi-
capped young men are studying at
San Francisco embalming school; 2
others are receiving specialized train
ing In automobile mechanics; 8 are
attending barber college In Spokane,
and another studying radio operation
at Seattle.
Training Agencies Used
Training agencies used IN Montana
include all units of the State university,
three beauty schools, six commercial
colleges, and q large number OF shops
and establishments.
Fredericks said virtually no restrtc-
ton is placed on the type OF training
approved by the bureau, although 1t
is required that the project must be
reasonable, and consistent with an ap-
plicant's disability.
Among the trades and professions
for which physically handicapped per-
sons of the state have been trained
are law, journalism, pharmacy, secre-
tarial work, bookkeeping, stenography,
teaching, tailoring, baking, cooking,
barbering, lens grinding, mechanical
dentistry, cleaning and pressing, auto
mechanics, auto body and fender work,
shoe repairing, civil engineering, min
ing engineering, vulcantzing, creamery
work, agriculture, watch repairing, en-
balming, sign painting, repair OF office
equipment, poultry culture sewing,
beauty culture, forestry, ministry,
tailoring, photography and cooking.
For Artificial Limbs
For applicants whose injuries neces-
STATED amputation of arms or legs the
bureau has provided artificial mem
bers. The purchase Of such appliances,
however, are not permitted for reStor-
alton alone but must be definite part
of the training program. The bureau
makes exceptions, however, when the
providing of an artificial limb or arm
will assist a destitute applicant In
being restored to permanent position.
A valuable amendment 70 the vo-
cational rehabilitation law Is the main
tenance division, adopted several years
ago, under which trainees may obtain
a small monthly allowance for sub
sistence in addition to tuition, supplies
and other training expenses.
The federal allotment for rehabili-
tation amounts to $4,000 annually,
while the state appropriation totals
$4,000 a year. The average cost Of
training a handicapped person for
employment Is about $500, Including
all expenses.
Some Typical Cases
Here are typical cases handled by
the bureau In the past:
A Kalispell boy with serious back
injury suffered In an automobile &C
rfdorf mos unable I0r10er tn follow work
requiring physical strain or exerticn-