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First Annual Report Of The Massachusetts Commission For The Blind

Creator: n/a
Date: 1908
Publisher: Wright & Potter, Boston
Source: Mount Holyoke College Library

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112  

The following statements may serve to indicate the kinds of occupation in which we find the blind engaged, and the nature of the measures called for in attempting to improve their condition. These statements are based on notes made by the deputy superintendent of the industrial department, Mr. Holmes, whose time has been mostly devoted to dealing with male applicants and to devising measures for their relief.

113  

Occupations of the Applicants.

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OCCUPATION. Number OCCUPATION. Number
Chair seaters: -- Academic or scholastic, 11
Cane seaters, 83 Teachers, 7
Pith seaters, 13 Total, 18
Rush seaters, 3
Splint seaters, 7 Mechanical pursuits: --
Total, 106 Cobblers, 5
Weavers, 8
Basket makers, 8
Commercial occupations:-- Box makers, 4
Agents or canvassers, 10 Broom makers, 12
Vendors, 16 Cabinet makers, 5
Merchants, 15 Hairpin makers, 2
Proprietors, 3 Hammer makers, 1
Total, 44 Match makers, 4
Mattress makers, 20
Mop makers, 4
Musical pursuits: -- Upholsterers, 8
Professional musicians, 16 Total, 81
Music teachers, 12 Engaged in homework, 7
Piano tuners, 33 Agriculture, 4
Total, 60 Engaged in unskilled work, 29

115  

Character of Application.

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AFPLICATION FOR -- Number of Applicants Number helped.
Information or advice, 43 39
School training, 3 3
Industrial training, 72 57
Loan of tools, machinery, etc., 26 22
Aid in increasing patronage, 49 19
Employment, 85 68
Aid to become agents or canvassers, 16 11
Aid in securing boarding places, 27 27

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The following summary outlines what has been done for applicants from the opening of the office to the end of the fiscal year 1907:--

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Aug. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1906, 105
Dec. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1907, 593
Total, -- 698
Total number benefited Aug. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1907, 464
1. Through educational and industrial aid: i.e., training as apprentices in chair work, broom making, rug making, cobbling, etc.; or equipment for home work, kit for cobbling, stock for small stores, loan of Braille machines, sewing machines, etc.: --
Training at Cambridge or Pittsfield, 53
Equipment, 15
2. Through employment: --
(1) In Cambridge shops as mop makers, rug weavers, etc., 26
(2) In Pittsfield shop, choir work, etc., 7
(3) Factory positions, 4
(4) Other shops, 4
(5) Increased patronage, 7
(6) Mop agents, 7
3. Through salesroom (in addition to sales of manufactured goods from shops): --
(1) Women consignors already benefited, 76
(2) Men consignors already benefited, 8
4.(sic) Through special inquiry concerning those twenty years of age and under not in schools for the blind, 170
Other children dealt with, 7
5. Referred to State home teachers, 30
6. Homes, private permanent homes, 2
7. Indirectly helped through private persons and other societies in relief, vacations, symphony concert tickets, medical aid, important information, etc., 63
479 (6)


(6) This is not an absolute figure, as some individuals appear us benefited in more than one way.

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A more detailed analysis of industrial aid given to individuals is as follows:--

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Educational and Industrial Aid, Aug. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1907.

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Total amount appropriated by votes of the commission in individual cases (not including general expenses of cobbling classes, etc.), for both training and equipment, $3,894 96

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ACTUALLY EXPENDED Training (Apprentices' and Pupils' Board.) Equipment (Stock and Equipment). Sundries.
Sept. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1906, $284 80 $42 87 $3 60
Dec. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1907, 1,734 55 577 39 29 59
$2,019 35 $620 26 $33 19
620 26
2,019 35
$2,672 80
Actual refunds towards training, $48 47
Actual refunds towards equipment, 18 00 66 47
$2,739 27

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Statement regarding Blind Persons benefited by Educational and Industrial Aid, Aug. 1, 1906, to Nov. 30, 1907.

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1. By necessary expenses during training: --
a. At Cambridge shops: --
Men: as mop makers, 1
as rug makers, 4
as broom makers, 4
Women: as hand weavers, 4
b. At Pittsfield shop:--
Men: as chair workers, 14
as mattress makers, 4
c. In special classes: --
As basket makers, 5
As cobblers, 10
d. Training elsewhere: --
Massage, 1
Broom making, 1
Piano repairing at piano factory, 1
Educational aid at other schools, 4
Under Robertson, 1
Phonograph, 1
Perkins Institution, 2
Telephone school, 1
2. In equipment (tools, stock, etc.): --
a. Kit for broom making, 1
b. Kit for cobbling, 6
c. Sewing machines, 2
d. Braille writers for home work, 3
e. Kit for coffee business, 2
f. Stock for small shop, 2
g. Stock for other commercial purposes, 1
h. Transportation to facilitate work, 1
i. Equipment for chicken raising, etc., 2
j. Printing of business announcements, 1
k. Materials for home work, reed, cane, etc., 3
l. Broom corn for broom shop, 1
83
Of these, 15 persons have received aid in more than one form, 15
Actual number of persons benefited, 68

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