Library Collections: Document: Full Text

The latter form of industrial aid to blind persons working in competition with the sighted, is of necessarily slots development, because of the practical difficulties of keeping any form of supervision and check upon the uses to which such aid is put, if for example, it is given in the form of guidance for canvassers and others in their own business. We heartily believe in industrial aid to blind persons working in competition with the sighted, and when it is given in such a form as assistance in music transcription, there have been most satisfactory results. It will be extended in proportion as the appropriation is increased and as blind people who want it for independent purposes co-operate in proving that it can be properly used, and not abused.

I submit then, as an alternative to pensions, what I believe to be a far broader, more flexible plan, suited to the varied needs of a very varied blind population, and better suited to the economic conditions and methods of organization of Massachusetts work. Looked at quite selfishly, I believe it will bring more and better returns to the blind than the pension system. I know it will take a little longer to work out than more the casual plan but not too long, if the legislature will provide us step by step, as we see the way, with the necessary funds. I know it is bard when we need someone to appreciate a thing that does not touch us personally. "What care I how fair she be, if she be not fair to me!" is a very human sentiment but even so, I think when you truly understand what I have learned from the day's work of many years, and tried to share with you in this short space of time, you will agree with me that the drawbacks of the pension plan are so many, and the prospects of my alternative so much hitter in the "long run," that you will, with me, choose the "long run." To describe adequately the past work, and immediate and future plans of the Commission for the Blind, which is in reality necessary to an understanding of the details of the alternative to pensions, would require more time than we have today, but could be provided for in another conference if you so desire.

See Vol. 9,.p. 45, 53, 68; Vol. 7, p. 79, 80, 82, Vol. 3, p. 163; Vol. 2 p. 51, 58, 101, 108, 188, Vol. 1, p. 12, 131.