Report of 10 years of work of the American Foundation for the Blind Inc. — M.C. Migel
John Knight:
Report of 10 years of work of the American Foundation for the Blind Inc, rendered by M.C. Migel, president. To the members of that association, covering the period from 1923 to 1933. 10 years in as few words as possible. February 1923, the American Foundation for the Blind Inc began to function as a national organization. Headquarters, New York City. Some of its activities, 4,352 radios presented to blind who could not afford to purchase sets. 101 annual scholarships, aggregating $25,250, given sightless students throughout United States to fit them for professional and vocational pursuits, affording livelihood. Braille typewriter of new improved design perfected in the foundation's workshop, available to blind at cost, represents investment of $40,000.
The talking book will revolutionize reading for many older blind who cannot learn to read with fingers. Extensive experiments for reproducing books on sound records have been conducted at the foundation's laboratory, incalculable boon when perfected probably this year. Legislation in 18 states, establishing state departments for the blind, reorganizing existing work for the blind, etc., secured by the Foundation. 46 Cities, educational weeks for the blind, conducted arousing public interest in local blind, stimulating sales of products made by Sightless, etc. Meetings attended by 399,000 seeing people.
Helen Keller lectured on work for the blind before audiences of seeing people, aggregating 520,000. Braille machinery invented by the foundation and the perfecting of the process of two-side printing, reduced bulk and cost of Braille books, 40% or more. Railroads of the United States carry blind person and guide for one fare, through amendment to Interstate Commerce Commission Act, secured by the foundation. Annual federal appropriation of $100,000 for books for the blind, secured by the foundation. Books circulated through Library of Congress, and branch libraries throughout the United States.
Braille type used in books published in Great Britain and United States, differed so greatly that Americans could not read British-made books. Through negotiations inaugurated by the foundation, systems standardized 1932, books now being interchanged. International Clearinghouse, conducted by the foundation to prevent duplication of braille titles in United States and Great Britain. Braille music published in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, and United States, now interchangeable with entire satisfaction. As a result of agreement with European agencies on uniform, braille music [inaudible 00:03:31]. Substantial discounts on radios and special watches secured for blind persons through the foundation.
World Conference in 1931, the foundation in cooperation with other agencies, sponsored and financed World Conference on work for the blind in New York City. Representatives of 37 nations attended. Vast benefit to blind of the United States and to the entire world. Schools for blind, assisted by the foundation through publication of books, pamphlets, and professional magazine for instructors, personal visits of staff members, traveling museum for optic lessons loaned to schools.
Experimental school conducted five years jointly by the foundation and Perkins Institution, Watertown, Massachusetts. Vocational opportunities for sightless found through intensive research. Vocational counsel and information afforded blind individuals. Publications including over 100 books and pamphlets and two professional magazines of vital importance to workers for the blind have been issued. Reference library conducted by the [inaudible 00:04:50] complete best organized collections in the United States of books, periodicals, et cetera, relating to the blind in English and foreign languages.
To tens of thousands of inquirers, the foundation has served as source of information on every conceivable subject relating to blindness and the blind. Offices, workshops, laboratory, open to you at all times. Our endowment fund is growing slowly. Some of our earlier annual contributors have recently bequeathed us funds, which will perpetuate their support. As yet, however, less than half our income is from endowment.
Read by John Knight, in the Talking Book Studios of the American Foundation for the Blind Inc. 125 East 46th Street, New York City, December 1934.
