Smyrna times., 1948-09-30
HANDICAPPED
WEEK OCT. 3-9
National Employ the Handi.
capped Week" Proclaimed
by Governor w. w. Bacon
AID TO HANDICAPPED

In an effort to locate as many
disabled persons as possible in the
State of Delaware, the Delaware
Rehabilitation Division will again
have certain days set aside during
National Employ the Handicapped
Week" for concentrated case find
ing and interviewing. October to
9 has been proclaimed by Governor
Walter w. Bacon as Employ the
Handicapped Week.. In Delaware,
employers are urged to hire as
many disabled persons as possible,
and all individuals and organiza-
tion are urged to refer any dis
abled person to Vocational Rehab-
ilitation. This state program of
aid to the handicapped, offers to
them, medical examinations, med
ical treatment, artificial appliances,
guidance, training in a vocation,
and suitable placement. Services
are based upon financial need for
same, and no money is repaid the
Division. This is year-round
program, for the purpose of restor-
ing handicapped persons to en-
ployment and independence. Since
the program was started in 1899,
the Division has successfully re-
habilitated (closed in employment)
1,725 disabled persons. Most of
these were unemployed when refer
red to rehabilitation, or if employ
ed, were earning only a small sal
ary. After rehabilitation services
were provided, all of them became
self-supporting, able not only to
take care of themselves, but their
dependents as well. Among the
disabilities which some of them
had were the following: Arm or leg
off; disabled arm, leg, or back; in
fantile paralysis, tuberculosis, heart
trouble, poor vision, one eye, hard
of hearing, deaf, varicose veins,
hernia. etc. Some of them needed
medical treatment or operations to
place them back into employment;
some needed artificial arms or legs,
hearing aids, or glasses; some had
to have training or retraining in an
occupation - all had something
wrong with them SO that they
could not get a job or could not
hold one. Housewives are also ell
igible for such services, if they are
unable to carry on their household
duties because of a handicap. Per-
sons must be of vocational age and
must have the desire to work, since
the final goal of rehabilitation is
employment.
Places To Receive Information
Rehabilitation Counselors will be
on hand to interview and explain
the services of rehabilitation to
any interested person at sthe fol-
lowing places: for the Dover area,
at the State Employment Office in
Dover on Thursday october z
from 900 a. m. to 4:30 p. M; for
the Georgetown area, at the State
Employment Office in Georgetown
on Friday, october 8, from 900 to
4:30. If unable to attend on these
days, persons may apply to any
State Employment Office or write
directly to Vocational Rehabilita-
tion, IL Concord Avenue, Whining
ton, Delaware, at any time. The
Delaware Rehabilitation Division
of the State Board for Vocational
Education, is cooperating with
other State Agencies in this State
and National Drive on employing
and locating disabled persons. Johr
G. King is Director and Raymond
w. Helm, Executive officer of the
Division, while w. Ralph MacIn.
tyre and Jacob H. Speicher are
members of the Rehabilitation
Committee.