Evening star., 1950-10-01
Federal Chiefs
Join Job Drive
For Disabled
Amoto Asks Public
To Support Program;
Week Opens Here

Six members of President Tru-
mans cabinet and heads of four
big Government agencies yester-
day Joined in urging public sup
port for a drive to employ the
physically handicapped worker.
At the same time. the District
Commissioners issued proclama-
ton reminding the public that
National Employ the Physically
Handicapped Week would begin
today.
Administration leaders making
the appeal were Secretary of State
Acheson, Secretary of the Treas
ury Snyder, Secretary of Defense
Marshall, Secretary of Agriculture
Brannan, Secretary of Commerce
Sawyer, Secretary of Labor Tobin,
Federal Security Administrator
Oscar R. Ewing. Civil Service
Chairman Harry B. Mitchell, Vet
Grams Administrator Carl r. Gray,
jr.. and National Security Re-
sources Board Chairman w. Stu
art. Symington.
Amato Urges Support.
The need for more public sup
port in employing the handi-
capped worker is evident in WASH
ington. according to David Amato,
director of the District Rehabili-
tation Service. a part of the Fed
eral Security Agency.
Mr.. Amato. who is physically
handicapped himself, said:
There are about $500 persons
annually in Washington who could
use the services of this Office. We
reach about $500 of these handi-
capped persons each year."
Last year, 381 completed re-
habilitation and were placed in
jobs which they are now holding
with satisfactory results. The 381
are in sense last years gradual
ing class, he said.
mot q Charity"
Basically, Mr.. Amato explained,
all the service does is prepare
physically handicapped persons
for suitable employment and then
finds the job for the person.
He cited some cases of Wash
inpton residents aided bv the
service.
Robert Duffy, polio victim
some years ago., Surgery was ar
ranged in 1948 to improve the use
of his left leg. Tests showed he
had good clerical aptitude. He is
now a satisfactory employe with
the Veterans Administration as a
tabulating machine operator.
Works for Dental Firm.
Wilbur Thomas, colored, a VIC
tim of spine trouble which re-
quires the wearing of a brace.
Medical, social, educational and
psychological tests revealed he was
limited to sedentary and semi
skilled work. He was given on-the-
job training at a local dental lab
oratory. Now he is employed there
as duplicate dental plate maker.
John H. Nixon, an anputee.
After medical treatment, it was
discovered he had an aptitude for
drafting. He was placed with a
local architect for training and
now is a valued employe He has
won prizes in local art contests.
Most of the 5000 handicapped
persons the service will not reach
this year "just don't know about
the service, Mr.. Amato explained
Some think it is charity and
don't take advantage of it for
that reason.
Ironically, Mr.. Amato said
Washington is tagging behind most
large cities in the Nation in vo-
cational rehabilitation although
the inspiration for the work en-
anates from Washington.
The hardest task the service has
is persuading business firms that
handicapped persons are not IL
abilities, Mr.. Amato continued.
Make Reliable Employees.
AS matter of fact, Mr.. Amate
said, records show that physically
handicapped persons make ex-
tremely reliable employees, wher
properly trained and placed ir
the proper job. That is the bust
ness of the Rehabilitation Serv.
ice, he added. ~
Most veterans of the armed
forces have the benefit of specia
legislation and are served by tht
Veterans Administration. Bu'
they are not excluded from ths
Rehabilitation Service Program.
An example of what can bt
done with and for physically
handicapped persons is shown by
q report Of the Navy Bureau o1
Ordnance.
More than $500 disabled vet.
Grams are employed at present II
the bureau. The naval ordnance
plant at South Charleston, w. Va.
has a civilian staff of which Q;
per cent are disabled veterans.
Navy Official Gives Praise.
The handicapped worker, in
cluding men rated as 100 per cen
disabled by the VA, are "as eff
ficient, adaptable and dependable
as their more fortunate co-work
ers," Rear Admiral A. q. Noble
chief of the bureau, said.
At the naval gun factory here
480 disabled workers are employed
and are doing satisfactory worl
at a variety of jobs.
Events scheduled here include
luncheon at 1890 pm. tomorrow
at the Mayf1ower Hotel. Secre
tary of Labor Tobin will be th'
principal speaker. E. D. Merrill
chairman of the local observance
also will speak.
The luncheon is sponsored an
nually by the American Fedora