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THE BLIND.

INTRODUCTION.

This report relates to the blind on June 1, 1900. Before discussing the results of the inquiry, the method pursued in the collection of the data should be explained. Heretofore census statistics of this class have been based upon the complete return, by the regular census enumerators, of all the details concerning each individual enumerated, upon special schedules designed for that purpose, and there has been no means of determining the thoroughness of their canvass or the accuracy of the returns made by them.

At the Twelfth Census, however, a change was made in the plan for securing the returns, and the work of the enumerators was restricted to a brief preliminary return showing only the name, sex, age, post office address, and nature of the existing defects in all persons alleged to be blind or deaf. The form of schedule furnished the enumerators for this purpose, including the instructions and explanations defining the defects mentioned, is as follows:

TWELFTH CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES.

SPECIAL SCHEDULE.

Persons defective in sight, hearing, or speech.

State. Supervisor's District No.
County. Enumeration District No.
Township or other division of county.
Name of incorporated city, town, or village within the above-named division.
Enumerator.

INSTRUCTIONS.

The object of this special schedule is to obtain the name, sex, age, and post office address of all persons who are either blind or deaf (including those who are deaf and dumb).

After completing the enumeration of all the members of a family on Schedule No. 1 (Form 7-224), you will ask whether all the persons just enumerated have good sight and good hearing -- that is, can see well and hear well. For all such persons no further inquiry need be made; but if you find that some member of the family can not see well, you will then ask whether he or she can see well enough to read a book; and should it appear that the sight is so seriously impaired that it is impossible for the person to read a book, even with the aid of glasses, then you will note such person as "Blind," even though, as a matter of fact, he or she may have some slight power of sight.

In the same way, if you find that some member of the family can not hear well, you will then ask whether he or she can hear well enough to understand loud conversation; and should it appear that the hearing is so seriously impaired that the person can not be made to understand what people say, even when they shout, you will note such person as "Deaf," even though, as a matter of fact, he or she may have some slight power of hearing. You will then ask further whether this deaf person can speak; and should it appear that the person can not speak so as to be understood, you will note such persons as "Deaf" and "Dumb," even though, as a matter of fact, he or she may have some slight power of speech.

Only those dumb persons who are deaf as well as dumb are to be noted; so that if you should come across dumb persons who are not deaf, they should not be included nor should the "semi-blind" and those blind only in one eye be reported on this schedule.

For each person reported on this special schedule as blind or deaf you will write on the population schedule (Form 7-224), on the right-hand margin opposite the name of any person defective as above, the letter "B" if the person is blind; the letter "D" if the person is deaf; and the letters "DD" if the person is deaf and dumb. If a person is blind and also deaf, use the letters "BD"; if blind and also deaf and dumb, use the letters "BDD," You will then make the entries called for on this special schedule, in columns 1 to 9, according to the following instructions:

In columns 1 and 2 enter the number of the sheet and of the line of the population schedule (Form 7-224) on which the defective person is enumerated, and then copy in columns 3, 4, and 5 the name, sex, and age of the person as originally entered on that schedule.

In column 6 enter the post office address of the person reported as defective; or if the person is a minor, or unable, through disability, to respond to communications by mail, obtain and enter in this column the name and post office address of his or her parent, guardian, or nearest friend, using the two spaces as subdivided by the dotted line. The intent of this inquiry is to secure the name and address of the proper person from whom further information can be obtained by correspondence concerning the blind and deaf persons enumerated.

In columns 7, 8, and 9 note the nature of the disability as follows:

If the person is defective in sight but can hear and speak, write "Blind" in column 7 and ''No" in columns 8 and 9.

If the person is defective in sight and hearing, but can speak, write "Blind" in column 7, "Deaf" in column 8, and "No" in column 9.

If the person is defective in sight, hearing, and speech, write "Blind" in column 7, "Deaf" in column S, and "Dumb" in column 9.

If the person is defective in hearing, but can see and speak, write "No" in column 7, "Deaf" in column 8, and "No" in column 9.