Studying the development of the education of the blind and work for the blind, information has bean largely gleaned from the book,entitled “From Homer to Helen Keller” by Richard Slayton French, Ph.D., written in 1932 when he was Principal of the California School for the Blind.
The following quotation is from the Preface of that book: “Homer stands for the greatest achievement of the blind in the times antecedent to their systematic education. He stands for all those bards, many of them blind or blinded, creators of literature and makers of our language, aho,through ballads, always of great vigour and sometimes of surpassing beauty, have handed down to us the glorious tradition of far-off heroic times. Helen Koller stands for the supreme achievement of education. The blind claim her, but the deaf can claim her too, and modern education can claim her more than either – and all humanity claims her with the best claim of all. For she is the epitome of all that is best in humanity, all that is most spiritual, and all that is through conscious aim and directed effort, through education in its best sense.”
While blind persons make up a vern small fraction of the total population, thelrevertheless form a conspicuous element in any society.
Eye diseases and accidents resulting in total or partial blindness are as old as humanity, but the history ‘n
of the last hundred years shows to how great a@ extent blindness, especially from birth or early infancy, is subject to control and hence to gradual reduction. On the whole, the advance of civilization coincides with a decrease of blindness, except for sporadic increases from time to time due to accidental or temporary factors such as recently happened in premature babies through, it was discovered, the use of too much oxygen.
The condition of the blind in the pre-Christian period was for the most part deplorable. Doubtless blindness was looked upon as the worst evil that could befall man, and often as a punishment. Though certain blind persons attained a sort of spiritual pre-eminence, inspiring even a superstitious awe, the great mass was looked upon as practically useless, and some were at times given over for destruction. In the early days of mankind the struggle for survival brought individuals together to form a tribe, and any member who could not full7 contribute to the subsistence and defense of the gpoup was a liability and consequently was subject to elimination. While feelings of humanity afforded some of those who survived a tolerable existence, the majority led the wretched life of beggars. No one had thought of systcmaticall7 educating them for useful employment. The life of the blind person passed largely without love as well as without light. Blindness was considered so far the worst of misfortunes, it was felt that without some compensating gift of the gods, one could only be overwhelmed by it. For example, Homer’s supreme poetic gift was attributed to the motive of compassion for his blindness by the gods.
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In the Christian communities of the first century which had much the character of large family groups, the secon! phase in the lifi4of the blind began. The7 were at that time under t@e,qare of the doacons. Wealthy Christians offered t@om dwelling places in their houses. In the older form of Christianit7 the church looked after all matters of charity and made certain that none of tho neadt lived in want.
But this custom had largely disappeared before the
end of the Middle Ages when these functions, more particularly the care of those continually unfit for making their own living had been taken over(by th” asylums and cloisters and later hospitals where through minor suitaile employment the blind not only rendered soma real service but escapec thus, to a certain extent, the boredom of their existence. The private benefactions of this period created finally a series of hospices exclusively devoted to the blind. This was actuated by the desire to remove the sightless from the streets and relieve their misery by providing better conditions for them and added productivity to their ot4er¬wise empty lives. The beginnings of thy hospital brotherhoods of the blind date back into the fifth century. The decline of church charities, the need of those unfit for worn, which at that time includ6d the blind, and the great increase in beggary tended to produce a more practical organization for the care of the poor. Such charities naturall7 became the undertaking of the flourishing cities. Tho greatest necessity was to do away with baggar7 in all Christendom and foster a universal charity for all the really needy.
In 1526 the great Spanis4 humanist, Juan Lins Vives wrot@ a book “On The Subvention of the Pooru, a book with unusual significance in tht history of the blind, in that it strikes the keynote of blind relief, the author maintaining that the blind must not bo allowed to sit around unemployed, but must be put at some useful employment as a contribution toward their support. This philosophy latcv came to fruition, in tho effort at least, Phan Valentin Huay, a philanthropist and member of the circle of revolutionary thinkers, founded the rarisian Institution for the Blind in 1784. His idwa in turn was taken up by the philanthropists and philanthropic societies of that enlightened age and by them spread abroad.
Howevaq systematic training and education of the blind came much later and largely as a result of the outstanding accomplishments of a few vory able blind persons, The first important instance of the education of a blind person is that of Didymus of Alexandria in the fourth century of the Christian era. He won some reputation as a theologian and a teachers He became blind when he was four years of age. By means of an alphabot carved in wood he learnod to read by con¬structing words and sentences with these carved letters bot most of his stud7 was through hearing others read. He amassed a prodigious amount of loarning in the field of theology and Biblical literature and his scholarship led to his appointment as a professor in the UniversitV of Alexandria. His @noylodge also coverod pagan philosophy, mathematics, music and astronom7. Tho next educated pcrson of r4al importance came some fourteen hundred years later.
Although t4ene was a spirit of helpfulness in the care of the blind throughout tais period, it remained for
blind individuals to point tke wa toward the form tpat care shoul6 take, b- showing in their persons and achievements that the education they needed was that of directed self helpfulnoss.,@,
The most famous case of the education of a blind person up to the close of the eighteenth century was that gf a blind mathematician, Nicholas Saunderson, who became a professor at CambridSe. He played an important part in the histor7 of mechanical devices for the blind. He was born in 1682 in England, received a careful education, had a special aptitudo for mathematics and because 6f his brilliancy and clearness of mind he became a very abbe teacher, expounding particularly tke new theorial of Siv Isaac Newton, including his theory of light and colour.
Perhaps the most rutarkabla blind Tan of the eighteenth contur7 was John Motcalf, bovn in the North of England in 1717, of poor narcnts. He became blind when he was six 7ears of age, having already had some elementary schoobrg-He continued his education and as well learnod to ride and swim and went about with great ease. Ho was interested in trade and had a shrowd sense in baq;aining w5jch Ind him into various business ventures which necessitated considerable travelling. Ho was also a skilful musician and as such joined the Royal tvoops, seeing campaign service with them in Scotland. The highwa@s ncae his home were in such wretched condition that Metcalf conceived plans for their betterment. He took contracts for road qgnstruction and soon bcilt up a reputation as an angineer and seems to have buen ona of the first to use crushed stone for making road bods. Ho also planned and built bridges. He refused to let blindness interfere with the normal course of his life.
Another outstanding blind man of this era Yas Jacob of Notra, a village in G@rmanV. Born in the middle of tho eighteenth conturt he lost his sight at a very early age. He went to the village school to gain tho olements of raligion and mas also given simple tasks. Noting that seeing children had a means of written communication ha devisod a system of his own by cutting notches with his knife in small stic@s similar to the s7stem of htallies” (or numbers) kept by primitive and uncult@ned-people. lith the aid of his playmates he directed his own education with his special method of recording until he finally aroused the interast of tho village pastor, Pho undertook his more complete training. In his lifetime he accumulated a small liorary of books consisting of notched sticks. He gainad a reputation as a man of wisdom aqd mad@ his living as an herb doctor, distinguishing his various preparations b@ labels made of notched sticks. The really significant feature in the case of Metcalf and Jacob is the7 did so much fo- them¬selves, making a place in the social and economic world b7 th@ir self-directod efforts. In the case of Jacob, the invention of a s-sten of symbols in relief is especially significant.
Tho fipst really intelligent efforts toward tho education of CPO blind took the direction largely of musical education, as their seemed to be a common belief that blind people were musically gifted by natunc. In fact, of course, a number of blind men and women have attained a place in th? field of music. One such person is Maria Thafesia von Paradis oho was born in Vienna in 1759 and lost hot sight at the age of tnree. She was givon no special attention until
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she was seven when her parents discovered she possessed an ardent love of music and a natural aptitude for learning. She was ppovidyd q skilful master and by the time she was twelve achieved the distinction of playing in the court church of Vienna. She aroused such enthusiasm that she was called to plav before the Empress Maria Theresia, who was so pleased with the performance she settled a pension upon the girl to enable her to secure a more complete education in music. This she did, studying other subjects as well and through her social contacts too acquired a broad and valuable education. On a tour of Europe she appeared in Paris about 1784 and t4ere met Valentin Hauy Nho was considering the organization of a school for the blind and she seems to have had a marked influence on the founding of the school and the selection of materials for the education of the blind. The contrast of her culture and refinement with the wretched condition of the numerous blind beggars in Paris, Vienna and the other great cities of Europe was a source of inspiration to men like Valentin Hauy and Wilhelm Klein of Vienna, who were struggling to better the lot of the blind. Shc also called Hauy’s attention to the systematic study of a blind man named Weissenburg born in Germany in 1756, who learned not only reading, writing and mathematics, but geograph7 and Ph7siCS. In his education the first use was made of relief Taps, In the choice of the means of educ¬ation for the blin@ Uauy was probabl7 more influenced b7 his investigation of the education of Weissenburg than any other. There were a few othor isolated but Si nificant attempts to educate the blind prior to 1794, but Hauy formed the first class fop the education of the blind, consisting of 12 pupils. He invented embossed printing for the blind which closely resembled the italics in form, which is script or handwriting.
He secured government approval and aid in establishing the first school for t@e blind located in Paris. His emphasis upon vocational education as well as academic was far in advance of general educational thought of the day.
The first institution for t>e education of the blind in England was started in Liverpool about 1700, the object stated to be “to render the blind happy in themselves and useful to society@. The Edinburgh ‘Blind AsVlutl followed in 1793. The term asnlum apparently meant a place of refuge or institution for the unfortunate. In Bristol in the same year an Asylum or Industrial School for the Blind was established, its object being Onot to employ the blind after being educated, but to teach them the means of getting a living by work”. In 1799 t4e Southward School for the Indigent Blind was founded with a similar purpose. The
Richmond National Institution of Dublin was founded in
181o.
The founding of t”e two most important German institutions was that in Vienna founded by Klein, a graduate in law, in 1804,and the second in Berlin founded under the immediate direction of Valentin Hauy in 1806. Klein’s institution was founded on the broad principles of goneral education with a clear distinction between the ends of education and those of charity and still remains a truly educational institution. In 1816 he had the satisfaction of seeing this institution raised to the status of a State Institution with Royal
and Imperial support. Seeing he could not gather all the blind children and youths into the institution he early tried to make provision for their education in the common schools. He made b,careful and systematic stud7 of the problems of ed”ucaoion, psychology and economics as related to the welfare of the blind, giving his results in such books as “Teacher’s Manual for tho Education of tne Blindn and 6Institutions for the Blind in GermanV”. Klein possessed the insight of a practical man of affairs, and man? of his best efforts were directed tov;rd,the partial or complete self-support of blind adults.
Between 1225 and 1835 Sghools for the Blind were established in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, the first in the United States, inspired by what numerous visitors from America had seen in Britain and on the continent. The Perkins School for the Blind was first named “The New England Asylum for the Blind,” for the purpose of educating blind persons . Dr. Samuel G. Howe was chosen to organize the school in 1831, after much preliminary discussion and planning. The School opened in July 1832 in the home of Dr. Hown’s father, with six pupils, In 1833 Colonel Thomas H. Perkins offered his mansion and grounds on condition that an endowment of $50,000 be raised, which was accot¬plished. Dr. Howe was vitally interested in tho fundamental wants of all underprivileged persons the deaf, the blind, the prisoner, the slave, the refugee and the politically suppressed – but the cause nearest his heart was the blind and he gave unstintingly of himself for their betterment for fortV-five’years. Between 1837 and 1860 twenty additional institutions were founded and sheltered workshops established.
During all this period mant systems for reading by the blind were invented and explored but the first really effective system for reading and writing was Braille. Louis Braille published an explanation of his system in 182y, using a six-dot combination for his basic sign. By altering the position of those dots he successfully gained 63 permutations which enabled him to transcribe all written signs used bl the sighted. Yet his system vas not universally adopted for some time. In Paris it was not officially adopted until 1854, two years after the death of Louis Braille. In Britain it was adopted about 1368. Work on a similar system was started previously by Charles Barbier, a Frenchman, an engineer, inventor and philanthropist, possibly intended as ciphcrs for military intelligence service as no mention was made of the blind. Braille brought this idea to a high degree of practical utility. In the United States Moon Type, based on Roman letters, and New York Point, a point system but based on more dots than Braille, were usnd originally in the schools and for printing. The Missouri School for tha Blind was the first to use Braille in the United States, about 1860. It was not until approximately 1892 that Braille was more widely adopted in the United States and the American Printing House began printins books in Braille on a pro-rata basis, as up to that time only New York Point printing was aided by government support. Ultimately a uniform Braille system was evolved, which is in general use throughout the English speaking woold.
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The integration of thy blind into society is the third and present phase in history of the blind. It began with the establishment of educational facil¬ities for blind children and this integration is becoming more and more a reality.
In the past forty years the world as a whole has .seen great changes; the aftermath of the First World War, the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Atomic Age, and now the Age of Automation. During these years events in work for the blind have taken place, which are no less revolutionary.
On this continent the enrolment of blind children in the regular public schools has steadily increased until now more sightless children attend regular schools than schools for the blind. Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, recently retired as Superintendent of the California School for the Blind, considers the factors responsible for this change to be (1) the increasing integration of the blind into society (2) the high retard on this continent for rublic school education and 3) the recognition of the importance of family life for the individual child.
Residential Schools for the Blind now more generally function under the Provincial or State Departments of Education and thus are an integral part of the public school system. The teachers in thes@ schools are now required to have the regular teacher training.and, certification.
Vocational rehabilitation and its underlying philosophy have undergone considerable change. The prevailing practice even forty years ago was to assume that the blind could do certain types of work only and these were generally taught in schools or workshops foc the blind but the present day approach is to assess the person Ts aptitudes and interests and then provide training in the kind of work for which the individual is best suited, whether or not any blind person has done it before, and assist him in being placed in the field for which he has been successfully trained. This has resulted in an influx of blind people into industry, private enterprise and the professions. The Vocational Rehabilitation Acts’in Canada, the United States and other countries have given impetus to this change.
Social legislation, including pensions for the blind, have provided a modicum of subsistence for blind persons in need and provided the starting means in whole or part for the personal and economic rehabilitation of many4 Economic security is a pre-condition foO successful integration into society.
Limitation in mobility is one of the most serious effects of blindness. At a time when blind people were confined to residential schools, to special workshops a6d.gene@ally to a life-space restricted by the concepts of the.secing world, there was no great need for mobility. ‘There, of course, have always been blind people who Overcame theso restrictions but to-day when blind students attend colleges, blind people are trained for and pursue many kinds of work and take part in all phases of life. There is an urgent reed to develop their mobility POt@ntial to its fullest and this is being done.
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Nevertheless we are only on the way to integration and there are some strong factors to be overcome before full integration is achieved. They are-largely in the area of socio-psychological interaction, Dr. Lowenfeld states, and are found to be,tha same as or vury similar to those working alainst integration of other minority groups., Since it is human nature to avoid negative stii-auli, seeing people may tend to avoid those who are blind or show reluctance to meet them in closer personal relationship. The same avoidance reaction may also be caused by in unwillingness to enter into a situation of social cont2ct where the partner’s reactions are less predictable than those usually encountered. This probably is the case when a clerk or waiter turns toward the seeing companion of the blind person and asks him about the latter’s wishes. It is not so much atlack of recognition of the blind person’s capability to tike care of himself, but rnther the avoidance of a situation which the individual feels less competent to hindle. ns Col. Baker has said many people feel they should set a blind person on a shelf like a piece of Dresden chini because they are-ill at easo and afraid to trent a blind person as a normal, fully competent person.
One of the Dost encouriling facts to-dny is that blind persons themselves are assuming increasing leadership in guiding their own destinies. It shows up in the ever¬growin; number of executives and employees of public and private a7encies serving the blind who are themselves usually visunlly handicapped. It is evident in internat¬ional and nntional conventions in our field which in the past were dominated largely by sighted’representatives while in more recent decades blind persons themselves have assumed leadership and greater responsibilities.
Any effort in the general field of minority groups directed toward reducing anti-minority ind authoritarian attitudes will also have an effect on rho position of the blind in society and lead to fuller integration.
In some of the developing countries of Africa and Asist blind people occupy a unique position as an emergent group. Residential schools are in many of these countries non¬existent or serve only an infinitesimal number of those who need an education and consequently many blind children who had no opportunity for g2ining an education are now placed in rejular public schools and provided with the special help they need. Similarly the adult blind of some of these countries are not hampered by traditions of charitable institutions which would tend to keep them in a ‘wird’ position, but are integrating in their societies as their education goes forward, contributing their indiv¬idual skills to the economic and social life of their coiiiriiunities, though this is just beginning as heretofore the majority of blind people in these countries lacked education, and beggary is still widespread.
Quotation from Dr. Lowenfeld’s paper presented to the American Association of Workers for the 31ind in 1950, entitled “Co-operation in dork for the Blind, Here and Abroad”.
“Institutions and services which aim at the integration of the blind and instil in them the spirit of independence and strengthen those qualities and skills which will enable them to take their rightful place as members of their society are progressive, desirable and in the best interest of the blind”.
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IN CANADN
it was in 1861 that work foy the blind actually bc4an in Canada. In that,year Father housselot, a priest fron France, opened a,school in Lontreal for the Fronph-speaking blindoctildren, known as the Nazareth Institute for the 31ind (L’Institut Nazareth) founded on the motel of the National Institute for the Young Blind in Paris established by Valentin Hauy, Shortly after its inception the institution was turned, over to the Ursuline (or Grey) nuns for administration, by whom it is still controlled. The original Charter was granted by the Hing of Frince. It was first located in a downtown section of St. Catherine Street. In 1932 it moved to a spacious building on queen Nary Road but for financial reasons *as forced to move to its present smaller quarters on Cot4 St. Lichele Road UP to 1940 education was provided for girls and boys to the end of high school, but from that date (1940) girls have been accepted from Grade I to graduation from high school and boys from Grade I to ale 12, when they now are enrolled at the Louis 3raille Institute established in 1953. The educational standard of Nazareth, particularly in the field of music, is high. Formerly the Nazareth institute operated a broom and brush factory, a handcraft department and residence for workers and elderly blind persons but these were dis¬continued. However, in 1964 the Grey Nuns opened a home for elderly blind women which now accommodates 145. It is known as Foyer Housselot. The school receives grants from the Federal Government and the Government of the Province of @uebec.
The next organization established was the Halifax School for the 3!ind, originally opened in 1871 as an OAsylum for the Blind”, and at that time was intended as a home for the blind. The first head was Charles Frederick Fraser, who in 1915 wns knighted. His father was a prominent medical practitioner in 7indsor, Nova Scotia, well-known throughout the Province. Sir Charles was educated at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. The School wis established through private support and a small Government grant and still has an endowment as well as the per capita grant made by the governments concerned for pupils in attendance. It has always served the three thritime Provinces and Newfoundland. Graduates who go on to Dalhousie Univ¬ersity Always have been granted free tuition there.
The third school established in Canada was the Ontario School for the Blind in 1872 and one of the first eleven pupils enrolled is still alive in the person of I,,Ir. Sandford Leppardi now 104 years of age, having been born November lgth, 1861. l@ir. Lessard became an expert piano tuner and made his living from this profession. This School is under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Department of Education and its curriculum corresponds to that of the regular public and high schools. It includes vocational training and music. This was not always so as originally blind people of,all ages and mentality were admitted, which, of course, was a great detriment to the morale of the place. Over the years tremendous improvements have been made in the programme and administration of this School and it now holds q high place in our educational system. It serves not only the Province of Ontario but has-always had pupils from the Prairie Provinces as well, whose education is paid for on a per capita basis by their home Province. There is an ,’@lunmi Association, composed of graduates and former pupils
which was organized about 1919. It meets biennially
at the School.
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5,078 readers. This of course does not give the number of titles, as in embossed type several volumes might be recuired for a title, on Talking Books there may be ten or more recorcs to a title, and on the cassettes there may be Lao books on one tape. In the fall of 1902 i@. Rooingon died and his widow, who died just last year, was appointed-librarian, carrying on in her own home until 1911, when through the courtesy of the-Chief Librarian for Toronto, l@. George !I,. Locke, and the Library Board of Toronto, premiscs were loaned in the 4est Toronto branch of the Public Library, located at Dundns and Keele Streets. On September lst, 1913, lis. Robinson left the service of the library and B.C. Swift assumed charge a I s librarian. There is a plaque in the libr@ry department of The Canadian N2tional Institute for the Blind; commemorating the work of !&. E.3.F. Robinson, erected on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Free Library for the 31ind. In a letter from El.thynard Robinson, son of Pr. and Mrs. E.B.F. Robinson, in answer to-an invitation to the luncheon on September 30th,1965, officially launching the biography of Col. L.”. Baker and the story of CNIB, he says “I would particularly like to be tbpre to honour Col.Boker and his work for I feel witnout his ability and energy no vestige of my father’s efforts would remain today”.
Dr. lwift was blind, obtained a deeree in music from the Toronto Conservatory of Music, his B.A. from McGill University and a I,Lasters’ de7,ree from the University of Toronto. Later ZcGill conferred an honorary LL.D. on Dr. Swift. He spoke seven languages fluently.
In ITarch, 1917, the library was transferred to a house at 142 Collele Street, near University Avenue, which was purchased in December 1916, and which has since been demolished. The ground on which this building stood belonged to the University of Toronto for which a small annual ground rent was paid. In this same year the name was changed to The Canadian National Library for the Blind. The University of Toronto finally bought this house and the CNIB library department was moved to 64 Baldwin Street, in 1929.
In 1908 the Kontreal Associntion for the Blind was organized under the presidency of l@’.r. C.,,I. Lindsay (later 2ir Charles Lindsay). The secretary was air. ,eptin@u@ Fraser, the treasurer, Er. F.E. Layton, all sightless. The purpose of the Association was to ameloriate the conditions of life and education of the English-ipeaking blind of the Province of Quebec. The first concrete activity of this Association was the establishment of a broom shop to employ blind operatives, located in rented quarters on Potre Dame Street. At the same time a small collection of books and apparatus was made and housed in 11. Lindsayts office. In 1911 approximately ten acres of land was purchased by the Association on Sherbrooke Street West where a new broom shop and a school for the education of young Lnglish¬speaking blind children were built and are still in operation on the same property. Instruction at the school has always been of an elementary nature and did not conform to the regular school programme of the Province of Quebec until approximately two years ago. Pupils are carried to Grade 7, conforming now more closely to the regular curriculum. The Association carries on some social activities as well for English¬speaking blind people of all ages and operates a very small residence for elderly blind persons.
About 1912 or 1913 an’ organization of the blind was formed in Vancouver, B.C., which became the Oestern Association of the-31ind., it held monthly meetings discussed problems, considered ways and means, etc., but did not initiate much,ol’practical value owing to lack of funds. However, the,need for a school for the education of the young blind of the province was im¬pressed upon the ninds of Government officials, with the result tnat the Department of Education ;ranted j2O.OO per month for board and maintenance of each pupil registered, which amount was later doubled. Ers. C.E. Burke, a blind woman of English birth who had been educated at the Birmingham School for the Blind, and after graduation ha& been,on the staff,of the school for the blind in Adelaide, South dales, for ton years, offered her home at 1238 Eelville Street, Vancouver- as promises for a school, which was accepted. In Fly, 1916, the school opened with two pupils. For six years the school carried on in l,’irs. Burke’s home, with Lts. 3urke as teacher, the largest number of pupils registered being eight. The school was under the control and’inspection of the Public school Board of Vancouver, which gave every assistance possible. DurinZ the period of this exper¬iment the Govcrnment became aware of the importance of education for the young blind people of the province and that of the deaf, The province therefore, decided to erect a dual school in Vancouver for purposes of economy, though the blind were opposed to the education of the blind and the deaf in one institution, a system already found unsatisfactory on t>is continent and by this time almost wholly abandoned. However, on Sept¬ember lst, 1922, the-school for the deaf and blind-was opened at Point Grey, Vancouver, with Lawrence, formerly Imad teacher for the deaf at Halifaxi as Superintendent, and P±. “. A. rchibald, B.,., (blind) as Principal of the Oepartment for the blind. Lrs. Burke was !&. archibald’s assistant. This school continues to maintain a high standard of education in every phase.
In !!Y, 1914, the Itritime Association for the Blind was incorporated “To furtaer the interests of graduates of the school for tie blind, and to assist and co-operate with blind persons generally”. The school referred to is the Halifax School for the Blind. In 1920 the assoc¬iation was amalgamated with the CNIB and its funds turned over to the Maritime Division 9 CAI3, which were applied to the general services of that Division, but it continued to hold title to the broom factory in Halifax and to conduct social events. In 1930 this building was turned over to the ltritime Foundation for the Jlind and the association ceased to ezist.
In 1914 the Ottawa Association for-the 31ind was founded to provide industrial training and employment for adult blind people resident in Ottawa and district. The association continued these activities until 1920, when these services were handed over to The Canadian National Institute for the 31ind. In 1923 the association estab¬lished a residence for blind people which was taken over for administration by CHIB in 1948. The association still exists, retainsthe administration of its own funds but works in close co-operation with CHIB and does not carry on any independent activities. The Ottawa Association has top¬resentatives on the local CHIB Advisory Board.
In 1916 the Ontario association for the 31ind was organized in the City of Toronto. This association was brought into being as the result of rather unwise manage¬ment of the Ontario School for the 31ind, whose cause
About 1912 or 1913 an’ organization of the blind was formed in Vancouver, B.C., which became the jestern Association of the,31ind., it held monthly meetings discussed problems, considered ways and means, etc., but did not initiate iiiuch,o-L practical value owing to lack of funds. However, theineed for a school for the education of the young blind of the province was im¬pressed upon the ninds of Government officials, with the result that the Department of Education ;ranted o@20.00 per month for board and maintenance of each pupil registered, which amount was later doubled. Mrs. C.E. Burke, a blind woman of Znglist birth who had been educated at the Birmingham School for the Blind, and after graduation hai been-on the staff-of the school for the blind in Adelaide, South dales, for ten years, offered her home at 1238 Eelville Street, Vancouver; as I es for a school, which was accepted. In Ety, 19 the school opened with two pupils. For six years the school carried on in Its. Burkets home, with his. 3urke as teacher 7 the largest number of pupils registered being eight. The school was under the control and-inspection of the Public school 3oard of Vancouver, which gave every assistance possible. During the period of this exper¬iment the Govcrnment became aware of the importance of education for the young blind people of the province and that of the deaf. The province therefore, decided to erect a dual schuol in Vancouver for purposes of economy, though the blind were opposed to the education of the blind and the deaf in one institution, a system already found unsatisfactory on this continent and by this time almost wholly abandoned, However, on Sept¬ember lst, 1922, the-school for the deaf and blind,was opened at Point Grey, Vancouver, with LO. Lawrence, formerly head teacher for the deaf at Halifax, as Superintendent and I&. rchibald B.”. (blind) as Principal of the department for the blind. Lrs. Burke was it. nrchibald’s assistant. This school continues to maintain a high standard of education in every phase.
In !Ay, 1914, the Maritime Association for the Blind was incorporated “To further the interests of graduates of the school for t@e blind, and to assist and co-operate with blind persons generally”. The school referred to is the Halifax School for the 31ind. In 1920 the assoc¬iation was amalgamated with the CNIB and its funds turned
over to the Division 9 CAI3, which were applied
to the general services of that Division, but it continued to hold title to the broom factory in Halifax and to conduct social events. In 1930 this building was turned over to the liritime Fountation for the Jlind and the association ceased to exist.
In 1914 the Ottawa Association for-the Blind was founded to provide industrial training and employment for adult blind people resident in Ottawa and district. The association continued these activities until 1920, when these services were handed over to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In 1923 the association estab¬lished a residence for blind people which was taken over for administration by CNIB in 1948. The association still exists, retainsthe administration of its own funds but works in close co-operation with CNIB and does not carry on any independent activities. The Ottawa Ass ciation has top¬resentatives on the local CHIB dvisory DoF
,rd.
In 1916 the Ontario Association for the 31ind was organized in the City of Toronto. This association was brought into being as the result of rather unwise manage¬ment of the Ontario Ochool for the 31ind, whose cause
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graduates and former pupils espoused, The association succeeded in securing the appointment of a Government commission to investigate;tbe conditions at the school, and after the report of the Commission was submitted to the Government, necessary reforms were instituted. The association continued for some years as a social organization but no longer exists.
In 1916 the Canadian Women’s Association for the Welfare of the Blind was formed under the presidency of Mrs. Fred Leach, its first major activity being the furnishing of the quarters of the Canadian National Library for the Blind. Their activities extended to the assistance of blind individuals in many practical ways, and the organization(was a great boon to the cause of the blind generally. This association became the Women’s Auxiliary to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind in June, 1919.
On March 30th, 1918, The Canadian National Institute for the Blind received its charter from the Secretary of State for Canada, and began its active life on July lst of that year, with a staff of three in one small room in the building occupied by the Canadian National Library for the Blind. The history of the CNIB will be covered in detail subsequently.
In 1926, Mr. P.E. Layton, then President of the Montreal Association for the Blind, formed the Canadian Federation of the Blind, claimed to be a fraternal union of the blind of Canada. Branches were established in the larger cities of most of the provinces and a Dominion Charter was granted in 1928. Prom the outset, the Federation was extremely critical of the CNIB. In 1932, the organizer, brought from England a couple of years previously, decided he was not in sympathy with the Federation policy and he resigned. From that date the organization began to weaken. In 1939, Mr. Layton died and his son Gilbert carried on as President for approximately four years. During this period the B.C. branch of the Federation absorbed the Western Association for the Blind and administered the small residence, Pandora Home, which they had been operating. Prior to the Second World War the Vancouver branch of the Federation was accepted into the Vancouver Community Chest for their budget covering residence and general expenses, but after one year they were refused continuance in the Vancouver Community Chest because of inadequate accounting for funds. The CNIB Vancouver office was appealed to and carried on this residence, renovating it with assistance from a service club, until the present and larger residence, Queen Elizabeth Hall, was built and opened in 1951. The Feduration now has only a few branches who carry on social activities.
In 1927 the Quebec Association for the Plind was founded in Quebec City. It established a workshop and residence. After requests from the Association, their services were taken over by the Quebec Division, CNIB, in 1942, and the Charter of the Association was surrendered.
In 1928 the French Canadian Association for the Blind was formed. It established a broom and brush factory for the purpose of providing employment for French-speaking blind persons, as few other opportunities existed at that time. This factory is still operating and the Association sponsors a recreation group.
In 1933 La Societe Amicale des Aveugles was formed by a dissatisfied former employee of the French Canadian Association for the Blind. This organization publishes a monthly magazine in French Braille which it distributes free to blind persons, and sells Braille appliances to the blind. It also sells merchandise to the blind such as soap, Christmas cards, etc., for resale by them to the public on a door-to-door basis. Its funds are collected by canvassers on a paid basis of from 40% to 50%. This organization has been prohibited from raising funds ¬in Montreal.
In February, 1944, the Interprovincial Council of the Blind was established representing Manitoba and Ontario, as a result of the desirability felt by the Manitoba League of the Blind in Winnipeg for the uniting of the existing clubs of the blind into a national organization, for which purpose the League established a committee in April,1941, to approach other organizations of the blind throughout Canada, to ascertain their views in the matter.
In 1946 the name was changed to the Canadian Council of the Blind. It started with a nucleus of seven clubs and now has over seventy-five clubs with a membership of approximately 5,000. The Council and its divisions receive their financial support from the CNIB, on a budget basis, but retain their full autonomy. The Council has the right to accept donations, but does not solicit them. This avoids confusion of the general public, as would be the case if two organizations, of and for the blind, wire campaigning for funds, and this would injure the whole cause. The CCB clubs carry on recreational and social activities, meetings, entertainment, sick visiting, and such other activities as might be of assistance to blind persons in maintaining a normal social outlook. The Council sponsors White Cane Week, a publicity campnign intended to inform the general public on the use of the white cane, the achievements and capabilities of blind people and some of their major problems. It is not a fund¬raising campaign, and is carried on with the co-operation of the CNIB Director of Publicity. The CCB Outlook, which is the voice of the Council, is published quarterly. The Council was granted a Federal Charter on May 10th, 1950. The CNIB works closely with the CCB and recognizes it as the official voice of the organized blind in Canada. Liaison committees made up of representatives of the CNIB and CCB exist at both the national and divisional level, for the exchange of ideas, the solving of mutual problems and the consideration of joint action in the interests of the blind. In all public representations the CCB and CNIB mutually agree and mutually present submissions. This system provides the blind with every opportunity for self-expression, while at the same time avoiding
94 public controversy which is so damaging to the cause.
In 1953 L’Institut Louis Braille, a French school for blind boys, was established in Montreal by Les Clercs de St. Viateur. This school provides educational facilities up to university and enrolls boys beyond age 12, the age at which they are discontinued at the Nazareth Institute. It is located in Ville Jacques Cartier, where more than 100 students are enrolled and there is room for considerable expansion. It is fully financed by the Quebec Government and follows the regular provincial school curriculum.
14
There have been clubs established during this period, such as the Young Men I s Music and Literary Society, which was formed in 1892, and whose minutes in embossed type are in the vault of CNIB, the Excelsior-Club, the Comradbs Club, The London Assoc¬iation for the Blind, the Man’ltoba League, the Lux-in-Tenebris Club and numerous others. But those who have not disbanded have, for the most part, joined the Canadian Council of the Blind.
There have also been sporadic attempts to develop other organizations during these years, but their aims and achievements are not worthy of special mention and most are now non-existent.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the Canadian Free Library for the Blind, later the Canadian National Library for the Blind, was the only organization endeavouring to serve blind people across the whole of Canada prior to the establishment of the CNIB. Possibly because the time was not opportune, or lack of money, or a leader was not forthcoming because of lack of ability, vision, or willingness to devote the necessary time and strength to the project, no comprehensive service organization was developed up to this time. In 1916 when Mr. A.G. Viets, the first Canadian blinded on service in the First World War, and Lieut. E.A. Baker, the first officer blinded in the First World War, returned to Canada, they were asked to join the Board of tho Canadian National LibrarV for the Blind, which they did. They were both verl aware by this time of the lack of service for the blind people of Canada and that the nation was not ready fo- the return of men blinded in the First World War. The Boand of the Canadian National Library for the Blind was made up of able blind people and in turn prominent sighted people were interested in the development of services Per the blind across Canada. After many meetings and much consideration application was made to the Secretar7 of State for a charter, which was granted on March 30th, 1918. The charter members were: Dr. Charles R. Dickson, a Toronto physician who had lost his sight through X-Ray experiments about that time; Dr. Charles Carruthers, a graduate lawyer and osteopath; Dr. S.C. Swift, the Chief Librarian of the Canadian National Library for the Blind; Lieut. E.A. Baker, an electrical engineer; Mr. A.G. Viets, an insurance agent, all sightless; Mr. Lewis Miller Wood, a prominent man,in the financial world, resident in Toronto; and Mr. Gordon Plaxton, the Honorary Solicitor. The objects were “To Ameliorate the Condition of the Blind of Canada and to Prevent Blindness”.
;@ stated previously CNIB began its active life on July ist, 1918, with a staff of three, occupying one small room in the building at 142 College Street, which housed the Canadian National LibrarV for the Blind. The thr@e were Mr. Charles W. Holmes, Director; Dr. C.R. Dickson, General Secretary and an Assistant Secretary.
Mr. Holmes was born in Stanstead, Quebec, lost his sight at ten years of age, after which he attended the Perkins School for the Blind. He was Head Ubster of the Eastern Townships College of Music for eleven years before going to the United States, where he was on the staff of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. He came to the CNIB on a five year contract, as from July 1sti 1918.
Mr. Lewis Miller Wood was CNIB’s President from
1918 to 1954.
Col. Baker and Mr. Victs were elected to Nat ional Council at its inception and Col. Baker was Vice¬President. At this time C61. Baker was a Dictaphone Typist at the Ontario Hydro office, ta@ing trouble reports directly from engi&eefs in the field, which he received by long distance tel2phone, repeated to the dictaphone and then transcribed the reports for the head of this department. In 1918 Col. Baker was appointed by the Federal Government to take charge of the training and after-care of the Canadian War Blinded, and he moved to Ottawa, where his office was located in the Department of Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment, which is now known as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In September, 1920, Col, Bayer came on the staff of the Canadian National Institut& for the Blind as General Secretary, and resigned as Vice-President of National Council, as the By-laws stipulate that no paid official or employee of the Institute shall be a member of the Council. Col. Baker’s.title was changed in 1931 to that of Managing Director. He remained on the staff until June 30th, 1962, when he was again elected a member of National Council and was also elected Honorary President.
Several senior staff members served for 40 years or more, and others yet to retire will have served that length of time when the date of their retirement arrives. Sir Arthur Pearson was the first Honorary President and held that office until his death. This long tenure of office by an able President, who was completely selfless and many members of National Council,and the Women’s Auxiliary together with long and dedicated service by many on staff, gave stability in the early difficult days of organization and made possible growth and development that could probably not have been attained otherwise. In those early days Col. Baker several times weekly went to the home of the President, and together they walked to the CNIB offices, discussing problems and development on the way, so that the advice and experience of the President were always available and were very sound. Mr. Wood also had a great gift for obtaining money when the need was the greatest.
The structure of the organization has always been the same. The National Council is the governing and policy-making body. The members of National Council are elected annually ffom the membership of the CNIB. In addition, each Division Board of Management has four representatives thereon, and there is one representative each from the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Foundation for Overseas Blind, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and St. Dunstan’s, both of London, England, and the schools for the blind in Canada. The National Council meets twice Vearly, once being on the same day as the National Annual Meeting, so that members from across Canada are able to attend. The balance of the year the Executive Committee of National Council meets monthly, with the exception of July and August, but meetings of the Executive Committee or National Council can be held at any time at the call of the Chair.
The By-laws of the CNIB state “The Council shall have power in its discretion to delegate any of its powers to any person or persons, department or departments, committea3and associations as it may deem necessary or advisable, in the interests of the Institute, upon and subject to such terms, conditions and authorities as the Council may prescribe.”
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Under authority of this By-law the Council set up the Divisions, originally five in number, and now eight, through the division of three of the original areas, each Division with local autonomy. These Divisions in turn may Aelegate work to local Advisory Boards and Committees. The Managing Director is the senior official of the organization, responsible for carrying out the policies of National Council. The Superintendent is the senior official in each Division, appointed by National Council with the knowledge and approval of the Division Board concerned .
In general, Canada has been fortunate in being able to develop a national organization to serve the blind with the exception of education, which is the prerogative of the Provincial Governments. It has Dominion and Provincial support but the major portion of support comes from the general public. During the First World War the time was opportune when the interest of the general public was aroused as the first young men returned to Canada who had been bltndod on service, and their training, received at St. Dunstan’s in Great Britain under the direction of Sir Arthur Pearson, who had developed a new and progressive philosophy in work for the blind, coupled with the vbility, experience and knowledge of the civilian blind peop)e at home, made possible the planning for a national organization so evidently needed. There were only a few local organizations in existence and the majority of these eventually agreed to co-operate. Col. Baker, who had the ability, vision and health to tackle the responsibility nf guiding the development of this organization, was willing and readl in 1920 to accept the challenge when requested to do so by the President.
The first CNIB Division organized was the Ontario in June 1919, the second was the Maritime in Jul7, 1919, covering Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
In September of the same Vear the Central Western Division, (covering Manitoba and Saskatchewan), and the Western Division,(covering Alberta and British Columbia) were established.
In September 1930, the Quebec Division was established.
In December, 19]3, Newfoundland was established as a separate Division, leaving the Maritime Division to cover Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
On April lst, 1956, with the approval of the Western Division Board, the Alberta Division and the British Columbia Division were established as separate entities.
On October lst, 1961, with the consent of the Central Western Division Board, the Manitoba Division and the Saskatchewan Division were established as separate entities.
In 1965 the name of the British Columbia Division was changed to British Columbia-Yukon Division as Yukon comes under tho administration of this Division.
The Northwest Territoiies”is administered from National Office with clients north of’British Columbia referred to that Division and those north of Alberta to the Alberta Division, for registration and service.
These Divisions were not established without difficulty. Take the Maritime Division as an example, where it might be expected that the establishment of a Division would be acceptable to the area, since the Halifax School for the Blind had been in existence since 1871, its graduates were aware of the need of an organization to serve the adult blind, and the general public was very familiar with the work of the Halifax School) yet it took a year mf discus¬sions and negotiations before this Division could be established. As early as August, 1916, Dr. Dickson had written Sir Frederick Fraser, then Superintendent of the Halifax School for the Blind, suggesting an organization in Canada similar to the National Institute for the Blind in Great Britain, and advising he had already suggested the raising of a national fund to help the blind, through the Red Cross, IODE, etc., which had been approved by the Duke of Connaught, then Governor-General of Canada, and reported to the Lieutenant-GQvernors of the Provinces. The purpose then considered was to support existing legitimate organizations, equip others where required and assist in securing legislation deemed necessary, as a memorial and tribute to those who lost their sight on service. Sir Frederick Fraser was nct very enthusiastic, and thought the Canadian Free Library for the Blind was not the organization to sponsor or do this. By July, 1917, Sir Frederick expressed approval of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, but disagreed with the proposed charter. In 1917 the Halifax explosion occurred and Sir Frederick appealed for an endowment of $500,000 to care for those blinded in the explosion, at first reported to be approximately 200, but finally the actual total was about 43. In the same year Sir Frederick proposed establishing a Canadian St. Dunstan’s in Halifax for the training of the war blinded, the name of which was protested by Sir Arthur Pearson. Some war blinded men were in training at the Halifax School for the Blind, but this did not prove satisfactory, since regulations governing the students were not acceptable to mature men’4nd the facilities for the training of these men were not adequate. At a meeting of the CNIB National Council, held in February, 1919, Dr. John A. MacDonald of the Maritime Association for the Blind, reported the need in the Maritimes for employment opportunities for graduates from the school for the blind, as only a few of the more competent succeeded on their own initiative. At the meeting of’the CHIB Council on July 3rdo 1918, it was felt provincial committees should be established to bring the work of the Institute within the scope of the various Provincial Governments. It was agreed provincial autonomy would be maintained, and the possibility of friction between provinces as to the collection and expenditure of monies eliminated. At a meeting of National Council of CEIB in May, 1919, the organization of the Institute, on a basis to permit of the handling of industrial and other activities, was discussed, and the consensus of opinion was that the Dominion should be distracted into five districts
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Maritime, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan9 Plberta and British Columbia7 that National Council should retain title to property, determination of all fundamental policy and procedure and the ultimate control through the local committees &f tie work to be carried on. In February, 1919, Mr. C. P.,Holmes and Dr. J. A. MacDonald discussed the possibility of the Maritime Association for the Blind being reconstituted as the Maritime Division, ONIB, and in search further discussions on this proposal were held by Mr. L. M. Wood, the CNIB President, and a former resident of Halifax, with the Executive Committee of the Maritime Association for the Blind. However, since amalgamation and transfer of the funds possessed by the Maritime Association for the Blind required legislation, it was deemed advisable that a Maritime Division CNIB be established and a working agreement was entered into between the 9AB and the CNIB, in which tho.Association agreed to pay over the entire income from the invested funds of the Associa¬tion, as well as from all other sources, less the proportion necessary to cover the expenses of the Association, which would continue social activities, subject to the approval of all expenditures by the Association. The Association was given authority to name four representatives to the Maritime Division Board of Management. At that time the Maritime Division, CNIB, had the right to three repre¬sentatives on National Council, and initially money required over and above the local income was provided from National Office. In September, 1920, the National Council approved a loan on second mortgage on the factory building, which was to be erected by the Maritime Association for the Blind from their capital fundv, and occupied by the Maritime Division CNIB broom factory. In 1928 an endowment fund campaign was conducted in the Maritime Provinces by the Maritime Division CNIB, with income only to be used for current expenses. Because of local diffidence concerning money being held by CNIB, whose Head Office was in Ontario, it was considered desirable to set up the Maritime Foundation for the Blind, with local trustees who invested monies and turned over the annual income to the Maritime Division, CNIB for local current expenses. This continued until 1964 when the trustees then in office resigned and elected the Executors and Directors of the Maritime Division CNIB as the new trustees. This money had been raised entirely at the expense of and with the staff provided by The Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In February 1968 an Act will be presented to the Government of Nova Scotia requesting that the Maritime Foundation be wound up, when its funds will then be in the hands of the Maritime Division, CNIB. In 1930 the building in Halifax . the title of which was held by the Maritime Association for the Blind, was turned over to the Maritime Foundation for the Blind. In 1944 the Maritime Division purchased the Halifax building from the Maritime Foundation for the Blind . the money being added to the en¬dowment under the trusteeship of the Maritime Foundation.
The foregoing will indicate the difficulties that had to be surmounted in establishing a CNIB Division in an area where blind people and their problems were well known.
This is not intended as criticsm of the local attitudes or of persons or organizations because it must be realized that the people in Central Canada endeavouring to establish a national organization, because they were
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convinced it was right and could give the most compre¬hensive and best service,,were not necessarily well¬known locally, although Mr. Wood and Mr. Vints were former Haligonians. Local organizations and people were diffident or cautious about relinquishing their identity and vested interests to an unknown organization which was unable to guarantee success. This was true in all areas and understandable.
The difficulties of establishing the Western Division on a firm foundation were even greater. A committee was formed in 1918 to investigate the situation and the needs in Western Canada. The members of this committee were Mr. Harris Turner, who at that time was a member of the Saskatchewan legislature; the Rev. Dr. A.T. Barnard, who was on the staff of a boys’ college in the west, and Dr. T. Milroy of Winnipeg, (all of whom were sightless) and a representative from the Western Association for the Blind. The needs were obvious, and the Western Division, CNIB, was created in September, 1919, with funds provided by National Office, until local income could be obtained. By August, 1920, the work was temporarily suspended because of financial and other difficulties, later that year resumed, and in March 1921, the Division was abolished, and the disposition of the men working in the broom shop left in the hands of the Director and General Secretary for solution, By 1922 a British Columbia Committee was established and the broom shop was reopened. The committee continued to operate until June, 1926, when it was authorized as the British Columbia Division and plans made for a campaign for funds. Financial difficulties continued until in Cdo@- , lc,’29, Dr. John A. MacDonald of Halifax, sightless, was sent to British Columbia to conduct a campaign under the auspices of the B.C. Division Board of Management. Because of the stock market depression, after the campaign was organized, the campaign realized only about $100,000, the objective for which had been $150,000. In that same year Alberta and British Columbia amalgamated, reforming the Wastern Division. At this time Captain M.C. Robinson was appointed Superintendent on the recommendation of Col. Baker, and under his leader-ship the Western Division, later the British Columbia Division, was developed and established on a firm foundation. He remained as Superintendent until his retirement on July 31it, 1964, and had developed a strong Division with a good service record, though of course services must continue to grow and develop constantly. This was an area in which initially there was little or nothing on which to build and the interest of the general public was very inadequate.
The Province of Quebec was a very difficult area in which to establish a Division, because of lack of co-operation, and it was not until September, 1930, that the Quebec Division was established, though library and some other services had been given. Of course it was impossible to develop the registration of blind people until a Division was established, but this Division now has a fairly complete registration and the service programme has gradually improved.
Looking at the development of the CNIB work
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chronologically, the first meeting of the Council, which was composed of the ChartQy ibmbers, was held on March 18th, 1918. At that meeting Sir Arthur Pearson was elected Honorary President, E.A. Bakcr was elected Vice-President, and Dr. C.R. Dickson, General Secretary, all sightless. As stated before, the Charter under the Dominion Companies Act was granted March 30th.
On April 10th a committee was appointed to negotiate and close a contract with Mr. C.W. Holmes as Director of the CNIB. This contract was approved by Council on May 6th, for a five year period, to take effect as from July lst.
On May 6th at the meeting of Council, the Department of Soldiers Civil Re-establishment representative advised the Government was considering training of the war¬blinded by the CNIB, and this was subsequently agreed to.
July lst, work on CNIB began in earnest, with the registration of blind persons undertaken.
On August 6th, Mr. Lewis Miller Wood was elected President on the resignation of Dr. C.R. Dickson from this office.
August 15th, the CNIB office was moved from 142 College Street to @6 King Street East, Toronto, in rented office space.
Saptember 16th, D.J. McDougall, a blinded soldier and graduate from the School of Massage in England, was engaged by CNIB as massage instructor for Hart House, where war blinded students could be trained with sighted returned soldiers, in massage, his salary temporarily to be paid by CNIB. This was very shortly taken over by the Military Hospital Commission. On this same date it was reported that the first Home Teacher had been engaged.
September 23rd, the establishment of a club house, where residence accommodation could be provided for the war blinded in training, was discussed and subsequently communicated to the DSCR, as well as a request for more satisfactory provision for the training of these men than was possible aa proposed, at the CNIB Industrial Department for’Men, to open on October lst.
October lst, Broom Shop or Industrial Department for Men opened at 455 King Street West, Toronto.
October 28th, Pearson Hall, 186 Beverley Street, Toronto, was leased. This residence had-been built and occupied by the Honourable George Brown, one of the Fathers of Confederation, and is now marked as a historic site. More formal training for the war blinded commenced as of this date.
Approval was given for the engagement of a
graduate of Montreal General Hospital, as the Prevention of Blindness worker.
November llth, the Canadian Passenger Association advised that the CNIB workers were entitled to prescribed special rates on railways, authorized for charitable organizations.
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December gth, it was reported to Council that the garment factory for women had been opened at 42 Adelaide Street, West, Toronto, where machine knitting, reed basketry, chair caning and,weaving were also being taught, and aprons and housedresses were being manu¬factured for sale.
In January, 1919, Sir Arthur Pearson visited Canada to formally open Pearson Hall. In this same month a public meeting was held in I,-iassey Hall at which Sir Arthur Pearson was the speaker on work for the blind. Approximately 2,000 people attended,
On Nay lst, 1919, the first tag day in support of CMIB work was held in Toronto under the auspices of the Women’s Auxiliary, the amount raised being 041,974. The last annual campaign held by the Woments Auxiliary was in 1956, and the amount raised was @,p458,700. This was a subscription campaign only, as tag days were discountinued in 1945. In 1957 GNIB joined the United Appeal in Toronto.
In June the Ontario Division was established. In July the American Association of lorkers for the Blind convention was held in Toronto, being their first convention held in Canada. In July the Thritime Division came into being; in September, the Central Western Division; covering Manitoba and Saskatchewan; the Western Division, covering Alberta and British Columbia, were established. In November an agreement was reached with the Halifax School for the Blind for transfer to the Etritime Division, CNIB; of certain funds, held@in trust for home teaching, and this was applied to the home teaching service of the Maritime Division.
In that same month the first course for poultry keepers was commenced, with Cecil Purkis, who was trained at St. Dunstan’s, as instructor. This course was for the war-blinded and was held at his poultry farm at Preston, Ontario.
In November the Federal Government authorized a grant of $50,000 for the purchase of Pearson Hall as a residence for the war blinded in training, and the erection of a suitable building for training quarters.
In December the Canadian National Library for the Blind amalgamated with the CHIB and became known as the Library Department, CNIB.
In 1920 the first training class for home teachers was held; a residence at 331 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, was purchased as the Clarkewood Residence for Women, replacing the rented house at 78 College.Street opened the previous year. The CNIB Publishing Department was 6rganized and a small periodical commenced, which is¬now known as the Braille Courier. On September 15th, 19201 Col. E. A. Baker came on the CNIB staff as General Secretary.
The foregoing will give an idea of the fairly rapid development of CNIBts services in the first two years. Now will be given a general picture of development from then to the present.
-22 –
In order to register blind persons, names were secured in the beginning from any possible source. When free radio licences were granted for blind persons in January, 1928, lists of applicants were submitted to CNIB by the Federal Government,for verification, and those not registered were visited by CNIB and registration information obtained, includin, an eye report, where applicable. This service strengthened the confidence of the Government in CNIB. Applications for pensions for the blind were originally submitted to CNIB for approval of eye reports by consultant ophthalmologists, so that the administration of this legislation would be uniform across Canada. This function is now performed by the Blindness Control Division of the Federal Government Department of National Health and Welfare. The Government relies on CNIB as the national agency from whom definite particulars are available and whose register is as complete and accurate as possible.
Originally, the registration policy allowed 20% and under for adults, and 33 1/n% for children. In November, 1926, this policy was revised, after consultation with leading ophthalmologists, basing registration on 6/60 and undeo after correction, for children and adults, except in cases of rapid deterioration when 20% was allowed. In 1945 the basis for registration was changed to 6/60 or 20/200, after correction, but allowing for 100 limit in the field of vision, as a restricted field reduces the usefulness of above standard. In such cases, slightly higher degree of central vision is permitted. In June, 1959, this standard was again revised on recommendation of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society to 6/60,after correction, or 20/>OO Snellen Chart. With limitation of both fields slightly more central vision is permitted with limitation of field allowed being to an angle of less than 200.
The world’s worst survey on the causes of blindness was completed in 1964 by Dr. A.E. MacDonald, CNIB Consultant Onhthalmologist. It is the first study to cover every age level from the cradle to the grave and was based on the eye reports of the 24,600 blind persons registered by CNIB. This syrvey fills a need recognized as early as 1857 when epidemic blindness brought about the first International Congress of Ophthalmologists at Brussels. Dr. MacDonald has presented this survey in a paper to this Congress at its last meeting.
Early in 1922 when the war-blinded of the First World War had completed their training and were settled in their own homes, National Office and Ontario Division Head Office were moved from 36 King Street East, Toronto, to Pearson Hall at 186 Beverly Street, Toronto. As leases on rented space expired, the Garment Factory and Basketr7 Department were moved to this location and subsequently the Library Department. Under agreement with the D.S.C.R. and now the Department of Veterans Affairs,club rooms for the war-blinded have always been retained.
In 1924 the Blind Voters’ Act, sponsored by CNIB, was adopted by Alberta and has since been adopted in all provinces. In 1924 the use of silver nitrate for the prevention of blindness in new-born infants became required by law in Ontario and is now compulsory in all
-23-provinces.
the H In May, 1926, Old Age Pensions were adopted by ouse of Commons, applicable at age 70, subject to the Means Test, the amounttof the allowance being $20.00 per month. This applied to blind persons as well. Investigation and work on this subject had commenced by CNIB in 1921, and will be dealt with in more detail later. The Blind Persons Act was adopted by the Federal Government in 1951, and the age at which blind persons are eligible has been reduced over the years until it is now applicable at the age of 18, and the monthly allowance is $?5, subject to.the Means Test.
In 1926 the first CNIBtnews-stand opened in Toronto.
In 1928 the placement of blind workers in industrial plants commenced, and application was made for a Blind Morkmen’s Compensation Act, which ultimately was adopted by all provinces, with the exception of Manitoba, and will be covered in the session on legislation.
In 1929 the first canteen with a blind manager was opened at Page Hersey Tubes Company in Welland, Ontario, and that year the Library and Publishing Department
moved from 142 College Street to 64 Baldwin Street, Toronto.
In 1932 the first blind Field Secretary was appointed. Prior to this date a sighted staff member had organized campaigns in some of the larger cities and towns in Ontario.
The first blind Dictaphone Transcriptionist placed b7 CNIB outside its own offices, was in 1932 with the London Life Insurance Company. This was Miss Kathryn Sells, who retired November 30th, last year, having served two years beyond normal retirement. There was no formal training for Miss Sells or other Dictaphone Transcriptionists until the opening of the Vocational Training Class in November, 1952.
In 1933 the Leathercraft Department was opened in Toronto. The first Advisory Board of CNIB was established in Hamilton, covering Wentworth County.
In 1934 the Stands and Cafeterias Department separated frot,the Placement Department.
In 1935 the first part-time consultant opthal¬mologist was appointed by CNIB in the person of Dr. F.A. Aylesworth.
In 1943 Baker Hall at 178 Admiral Road, Toronto, was purchased and opened as a residence for those blinded in the Second World War during their training period. Training was carried on at Pearson Hall. The training and after-care for the war-blinded has always been given under agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs and is paid for by the Federal Government. At the outbreak of the Second World War, under agreement with the Federal Government, all casualties resulting in blindness were communicated to the CNIB National Office, following advice to the next of kin. Such
2 4 –
casualties were then reported to St. Dunstan’s by CNID who made contact with the injured person as soon as possible and offered the services of St. Dunstanis for trainino, which as in the First World War were paid for ty the Pederal Governmept. At the same time a war-blinded man of the First “Ohld Par visited the next of kin in Canada. This alleviated to some extent, their distress and anxieties and generally made possible more normal and cheerful correspondence between the injured person and the family. This also made the eventual home-coming easier for all concerned. Since the Second World War there has been a War Blinded After-Care Officer on CNIB National Office staff, carrying the responsibility for service to those blinded while on military duty. Formerly this responsibility was carried by Col.Baker, following the completion of training.
In 1944 a special exemption was granted blind persons under the Dominion Income Tax Act. These special acts were all the result of presentations to the Government by CNIB.
In the summers of 1945, 146 and @51 the CNIB Prevention of Blindness nurse accompanied an ophthalmologist and optician to the Arctic, under the auspices of the CNIBand the Dominion Department of Northern Affairs on the Federal Government ship that makes the expedition once each year. Classes were provided where required and the ophthalmologist performed surgery where necessary and possible. Reports were made to the Federal Covernment on the results of these surveys. The Federal Covernment now covers this service. Any blind person referred to CHIP and eligible fcr-registration receives services applicable and possible from CNIB.
In 1947 the corner stone was laid for the first CNIB residence and service centre, which was located in St. Catharines.
Ontario adored the White Cane Act this same year, which has now been adopted by all provinces.
In 1949 the Pre-school Blind Children’s Department opened at National Office, now the Children’s Department.
The Vocational Training Course was commenced in November 1952 . specifically for the more formal and efficient training of Home Teachers, Field Secretaries and Placement Officers to serve on CNIB staff across Canada and for Dictaphone Trans¬criptionists for placement in offices in general business or CNIB.
CNIB National Office has a Music Consultant on staff who is available to counsel and secure help where necessary for students in the field of music. The first National Music Conference was held at National Office in 1964, bringing together 65 music teachers, artists and piano technicians from across Canada for a four-day seminar. This year a Piano Tuners’ Conference will be held following the AAWB General meeting in Toronto and every 3 years thereafter. The next National Music Conference will be held in 1970 and every 5 years thereafter.
Another service developed over the years has been assistance to those blind students attending university. For undergraduate work the Divisions make a grant for reader assistance, where needed, and for post-graduate students this same service is given by National Office. Texts for students are recorded or transcribe into Braille ty volunteers. Through representations by CVIB, practically all universities in Canada now grant free tuition to blind students.
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On November llth ” 1954v Col. Baker laid the cornerstone for the Feadquarters property’knqwn as Baker Wood, located in Toronto, for which a financial campaign was held in the spring of 1954, with an objecti0elof t3,l5O,OOO. The final total obtained was ?3,350,000.
On April 16th, 1956, the official opening of PakerWood was held, with His Excellency the Covernor-General Vincent Massey officiating. Ty this date National Office, the Ontario Division Head Office and all Service Departments had been moved from their scattered and sometimes inadequate locations throughout Metro Toronto, and consolidated under one roof where more efficient administration is possible.
The Eye Bank of Canada was established in 1954 inspired by National Office working in co-operation with the University of Toronto and has now spread across Canada. CNIB files record more than 50,000 citizens have pledged their eyes on death, 8,463 being pledged in the last fiscal year. In this last fiscal year 892 eyes were received and 348 transplants performed.
In 1957 the Cornea Transplant Act was adopted by the Province of New Brunswick and has since been adopted by all provinces, on representations by CYIE Divisions.
In 1961 the Pise Owl Club of Canada was inaugurated. Below is Fiven background history of origin of Vise Owl Club.
The Wise Owl Club of American, an industrial.eye safety organization, was formed in 1947 as the result of an idea ,dropped into a suggestion lox at the St. Louis plant of ACF Industries, Inc. Shortly afterward, sponsorship was assumed by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, N.Y., the nations leading nonprofit sight conservation agency, as an incentive to intelligent eye safety.
The prime purpose of the club is to encourage the use of safety eyewear to reduce needless and costly eye injuries. Each of the members of the Club, which includes men and women workers and vocational school students, has saved the sight of at least one eye by wearing eye protection at the time of an on-the-job accident. Each member receives a certifi¬cate, Fold lapel pin and shop badge identifying him as a Wise Owl.
Canada became associate with the Wise Owl movement when the Canadian National Institute for the Plind beran endorsing certificates presented to Canadians in 1957. In January 1961 CMIB became responsible for the administration of Wise Owl Awards and the Canadian organization became known as the Wise Owl Club of Canada. The first Canadian Wise Owl News¬sheet was published in “arch 1967.
In this same year Lake Joseph Camp was built and opened by the Ontario Division.
In 1962 the first order for 200 Tape Talkinq Book Machines and 600 cassettes was placed by the Chief Librarian.
In 1963 Bowen Island Camp was built and opened by the
British Columbia Division.
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In 1964 a brief was submitted to the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism by CNIB National Office, also one to the Senate Committee on Ageing.
In 1965 submission w6%,mpde by CNIB to the Ontario Government Select Committee on Youth by the Ontario Division.
In February a capital fund campaign was held in Newfoundland for a divisional headquarters and service centra in St. John’s and the furnishing of a new building in Corner Brook.
This is the latest capital campaign in a CNIB Division. Such campaigns have been held in all other Divisions over the years with the exception of Quebec and that Division has the organization of a campaign well underway which it is anticipated will take place this year, but no announcement can be made until the date is fixed and approved. Up to March 31st, 1965, the total value of buildings owned by CNIB across Canada was approximately $11,250,000, all paid for. This, of course, gives just the physical assets of GNIB but without adequate working facilities, services cannot be carried on or developed efficiently. It also indicates the confidence and good will of the general public and governments at all levels.
Originally all monies were raisod from the general public with supportinz Government grants for which application was made. In Ontario a formula now exists for G-ov@r@,nt grants to hospital, aged and charitable home construction, amounting to $2,500 per bed. The balanco is raised from the general public. In legislation forecast in the recant Sp3ach from the Throne, this may be increased to $5,000 pe0bed in Ontario.
Also, in 1965, a pilot project Pas opened at the University of Manitoba for training of four blind young men as Computer Programmers. All are now graduated and placed in employment.
Tho B.C. Division name was changed to British Columbia-Yukon Division.
Adjustment Training on a more formal basis for newly blind persons;was begun a few years ago. Tho training given will be covered by the Head of this Department in his lecture time.
Navigation Training is now given in all Divisions across Canada, either locally or under arrangement with another Division that has this service available. The long cane technique is used. CNIB has plways been active in testing now electronic aids. The latost investigated in 1965 was the ultra-sonic dovice, designed to aid blind pedestrians to walk with safety. Further investigation is boing made.
In June, 1966, National Council has authorized Mr. A.N. Magill to attend the International Conference nn Sensory Devices for the Blind, to be hold in London England, to which ho has bear invited by St. Dunstan’s the organization sponsoring this conference.
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Dog guives have received yide attention and much consi¬deration by CRIP. This service requires a very expensive setup and is applicable to a vpry”small portion of registered blind people,,accord!nF to research carried out at Columbia University under the auspices of the Seeing Eye of Morristown N.Y. The age limit for applicants is generally between 16 and-55. After thorough investigation and intensive discussion the CNIB National Council concluded the most economical and practical way to provide this service to those Canadians who desired and could make practical use of a dog guide was to purchase such service. in 1939 an agreement was entered into with the Seeing Eye, Incorporated, of Norristown, N.J. on an agreed basis, for the purchase of doF guides and training of approved applicants, this organization having been found most efficient and reputable in this particular field of service.
In April, 1965, a similar agreement was entered into with Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., of San Raphael, California, to serve applicants residina in Itstern Canada, if desired. Dogs proviced by this organization cost more than those from Seeing Eye, Inc., because it is not as well endowed.
railways in Canada crantet two fares for the price of one for a blind person travelling with an escort, and the necessary voucher is administered through the CNID. In 1965 this was revised to 20%reduction for the blind person and for the escort, or blind person travelling alone. Buses grant concession of two fares for the cost of one. For trans¬Atlantic travel by ship a blind person is granted one and a half fares for two when travelling with an escort on certificate of the CUIB. Post P I 0 lines allow a similar discount. So far no concessions have been granted by the airlines thoufh frequent application have been made locally and by the World Council on an international basis.
In most large cities free transit transportation is granted to blind people and generally is administered by the local CNIE office.
Before the establishment of CYIB, blind beggars were not uncommon on the streets of the larger cities in Canada. NeFotiations were initiated with most city departments concerned with licensing, with the result that in the City of Toronto, for instance, where beggars must have a licence, the City does not’issue such to a blind person without consultation with CNIB in an effort to provide suitable em-ployment for the applicant. As the original group of beggars disappeared from the streets through age, illness or death, few, if any, have been licensed, and there is little excuse today when pensions are paid, and in most cases supplementary income can be earned in home occupations or-occupational shops This same system of licensing operates in some other areas as well.
Services arranged from outside sources, such as corres¬pondence courses given by the Hadley School- books, magazines, periodicals for the library etc., are paid for by CNIB on an agreed basis. This policy maintains such arrangements on a fair business basis and eliminates the necessity for fund-raising in Canada by organizations based in other countries.
While not all services are available in all Divisions, development of services in each area has been steadily going forward. In 1965 Pational Office made a survey of services available in each of the eiFht’Divisions for the purpose of evaluating the general service programme, with the hope of making available to every Division all specialized services developed in any part of the country. For statistics for the last fiscal year, refer to the Hational Annual Report. This will also give a resume of some of the current services.
On January 9th, 1968 the cornerstone was laid at Baker Wood for the Vocational Training building where class rooms and residence accommodation will be available for students.
The above are but highlights of development and accomplish¬ments of the CNIB, and all have’ requireo a great deal of work, considerable travelling, endless meetin7s, consultations and correspondence, flexibility as well as much patience.
Col. Baker had many interests and affiliations outside the CNIB which are here covered in part to give an idea of the breadth of his contacts, all of which brought the CNIB before a wide audience. He was a member of the Great War Veterans’ Association from 1916, and continued as a member of the Canadian LeFion British Empire Service League, with which the GWVA amalgamate&.
In 1921 he joined the War Amputations of Canada, Toronto Branch, and in 1923 was elected to the Dominion Council of the War Amputations of Canada. Be has been a member of the Sir Arthur Pearson Club of Plinded Sailors and Soldiers from its inception in 1922, the organization now known as the Sir Arthur Pearson Association of Par Blinded. He attended the first reunion of the Sixth Field Company Canadian Engineers, with which he had serveo overseas, in 1923, and subsequently was elected PresiVent of their Feunion Committee. Annual reunions are held and he continues to attend. In 1926 he joined, and is still a member of the War Pensioners of Canada Association. In 1927 he and rr. Weir attended the biennial convention of the American Association of Workers for the Blind in Atlantic City, when Col. Baker presented a paper concerning the work of the CNIB. he served a term as President of this organization, as did Captain Robinson, Superintendent of the B.C. Division and Mr. A. N. Magill, now CHIB Managing Director is the current President of AAWB. Col. Baker was presented with the Shotwell award by the AAWB in 1952. In 1954 he became a life member. Many of the staff of CNIB are members of the AAWB and several have held office in this organization. The AAWB held its second Canadian convention in Toronto in 1937, itsthird in Canada in Quebec City in 1955 and will hold its fourth Convention in Canada in Toronto in 1968 CNIB’s 50th Anniversary year. In 1929 Col. Baker attended the St. Dunstan’s Conference on Commonwealth War Flinded, held in London, England. The following year he unveiled the Shriners’ Peace Nemorial in the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, Toronto, during the American and Canadian Shrine Con¬vention. In 1933 he attended the Sixth Biennial Conference of the Canadian Legion in London, England. In 1934 he was elected to the Forest Hill Village School Board, in which area he lived, and that year joined the Canadian Corps Association at its inception, and he is now the Honorary Dominion President. Fe was appointed and attended the first meeting of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission of Ontario, established by the Provincial Government, and was appointed chairman, in which office he served for 16 years. In 1936 he was appointed to the Forest flill Village School Board of Health, and in that summer attended the Vimy pilgrimage to France. In 1939 Queen’s University, from which he had graduated in 1914, conferred on him an honorary LL.D. degree. In 1954 the Queen’s Alumni, Toronto Branch, gave its first award to a
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graduate of Queen’s for outstanding achievement, to Col-Baker. In 1945 the University of Toronto also conferrer on him an honorary LL.D. degree. In 1903 Co. Faker joined,the National Council of Veterans’ Associations in Canada at its inception, was elected President and served in this office until 1961. In’1947 on invitation of the Trinidad and Tobago Government he made a survey of the need for work for the blind, submitted his recommendations, and subseouently Mr. D.P. Lawley was loaned by CPIB for a period of several months to organize the work, and a Home Teacher on the staff of CNIB whose¬family had come to Toronto from Trinidad. was employed by the AssQcia¬tion there, on recommendation of CNIB. Late in September 1967CHIB General Manager attended the Commonwealth Caribbean Conference on Work for the Blind held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad under the leader¬ship of the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association, with sponsorship of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind and assistance from the American Foundation for Overseas Blind both of whom were represented and United Nations agencies. Resolutions passed at the Conference called for a regional plan, establishment of a Caribbean Council for the Blind with membership from each of the Islands, preservation of sight, involving government and agency pro¬grammes and a Prevention of Blindness week- legislation to insure compilation of a national register of the estimated 10,000 blind, free education for blind children, support of recognized institutions providing rehabilitation, training and employment services for the blind, and ratification of the Universal Postal Union agreement on postal privileges for the blind. It was felt registration should be done by the government on the basis of the international defini¬tion of blindness, i.e. a visual acuity not exceeding 3/60 in the better eye with correction. It was recommended that the governments accept responsibility for provision of primary, secondary and univer¬sity education for the blind and visually handicapped-and establish schools where they do not exist. Also recommended were library service, employment service for the blind training of blind workers international co-operation from appropria e agencies such as t-he United Nations, the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, the American Foundation for Overseas Blind and the CHIB. CNIB offered to train suitable workers from the area, subject to local organi¬zations paying transportation and maintenance.
In 1948 Col.Baker was asked to be a member of a committee of executives of national voluntary agencies for discussion, mutual benefit and assessment of Welfare needs, which in 1953 became the Canadian Conference of National Voluntary Health and ltlfare Organi¬zations, and at that time Col. Baker was elected Chairman. This organization is now disbanded, The National Review Committee of the United Appeals now assesses the National Organizations and their bud¬gets each year. In 1949 Col. Baker attended the International Con¬ference of Workers for the Blind, which was held in Oxford, England, when discussion took place on the formation of a World Council. The World Council for the Vtlfare of the Blind came into being in 1951 at an assembly in Paris, France, at which Col. Baker was not present, but he was elected their first President and served in this office until August 1964, when he was elected an Honorary Life Member and a Member-at-Large on the Executive Committee of WCVB. Mr. A.N. Nagill was elected to replace Col.Baker as one of the two Canadian represen¬tatives to WCWB and was elected to the Executive Committee at this meeting. At the Executive meeting in Belgrade he was appointed Chair¬man of the Programme Committee for the next General Assembly to be held in New Delhi, India in November 1969.
Col. Baker was awarded the “imel medal in 1951 by the Pnerican Foundation for the Blind ‘For Oustanding Service to the Blind’, the presentation being made by Dr. Helen Keller. In 1954 he was awarded the Leslie Dana Medal for Prevention of Blindness by the St. Louis Society for the Blind, the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and the Association for Research in Ophthalmology in St. Louis, Mo. In 1956 he was appointed the only lay member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society at its convention in Quebec City.
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This Society was formed in 1937 and has worked closely with CMID. Since Col. Baker’s retirement from CNIE staff Mr. Magill has also been appointed a lay member of this Society at their meetin7 in June 1965. In 1958 thp Royal Victorian Institute for the ElinO in Australia presented Col.Paker with an award In appreciation of services rendered to the Plind . In 1960 the first Helen Keller award for distinguished service to the blind was presented to hi7 on the occasion of Helen Keller’s 80th birthday, by the American Foundation for Overseas Blind. In 1961 the Brotherhood of Eeth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto made an award to him ‘For splendid achievements in the field of humanitarian service in the Dominion of Canada. For furthering the cause of brotherhood by being friend and benefactor to all men regardless of colour, race or creed . In 1952 Col. Baker was appointed to the newly established National Advisory Council on the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons by the Federal Government. to which Mr. A. N. Magill was appointed after Col. Bakeris retirement.
During the years that Col. faker was President of the World Council for the Welfare of the Elind he attended meetings of the Fxecutive Committee and the standing committees, as well as the general assemblies held in Paris. Rome and New York. These Committee meetings have been held in Paris, France7 Brussells, Netherlands:, Rome, Italy London, FnFland! Hanover, Germany- Guatemala City, Central America- Australia, rew Zealand, and in Columbo, Ceylon, when Col. Baker visited Malaya. In February 1962, the E.A. Baker Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness was established by Fational Council with a minimum objective of 01,000,000, the total now being over $660,000. A Committee on Professional Trainin7 was established with Col. Baker as a member, to recommend expenditures from this fund, from which erasers for research and to further the knowle0ge and trainin7 of ophthalmologists have been made. In Nay 1962, National Council authorized a b biography of Col. Faker and the history of CRIBto be written and published by McClelland and Stewart, which was officially presented to the public on September 30th, 1965, under the title No Compromise@ written by Marjorie Wilkins Campbell. In 1964 the Canadian Council of the Blind presented Col. Baker and myself with their Award of “erit and Honorary Life Member¬ship. Col. Baker is still being honouyed. In February 1966 the City of Toronto presented him with a Civic Award of Merit and in “ay the World Veterans’ Federation presented him with their Trophy during their Conference in Toronto, for his services in the field of rehabilitation. On November 24th, 1967, at the Investiture by the Governor-General at Government House, Rideau Hall, Ottdwa, Col. Faker was one of the first thirty-five Canadians made Companions of the Order of Canada. On June 2th, 1968 the city of Kingston presented him with a medal of achievement at a meeting of the City Council. All these occassions bring honour to blind people generally and forward the knowledge of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
As a further evidence of the confidence in CPIB and its broadening experience, ir. A. F. Magil was loaned to the Unitel Nations in 1953, when he proceeded to Egypt to set up a pilot project in work for the blind for the Arab States. At the request of the U.7. he returned to Egypt for a second year in 1955, during which he made a survey in Syria and Lebanon and in 1957 returned to Egypt for about six weeks to check on progress there and also visited Syria and Lebanon.
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LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO THE BLIND IN GANADA
PENSIONS FOR THE BLIND
This subject is covered in detail as it was the most difficult and time-consuming effort to obtain legislative enactment and gives some idea of the procedures and work involved in any request for special legislation.
On March 18th, 1921, Col. E. A. Baker, then General Secretary of CNIB, wrote to the (then);National Institute for the Blind, London, England, requesting a copy of the Blind PersonsK Act, 1920, of Great Britain. This Act provided for payment of pensions to blind persons under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908-1919, at age fifty instead of seventy.
This Act was studied and widely discussed within
CNIB National Council, Division Boards of Management, with blind persons and members of Government.
In July, 1923, Col. Baker wrote to Mr. Francis Ierardi of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, for information on pensions legislation in the United States. He was advised that 17 States then had pensions for the needv blind, varying in amounts paid and regulations .
In March, 1924, Col. Baker wrote to Mr. W. G. Raymond, member of the House of Commons from Brtntford, who was blind, but possessed useful guiding vision. He was a member of CNIB National Council and had been interested in the Ontario School for the Blind for some 20 years. This letter outlined a very comprehensive programme for assistance to blind people in Canada and the desirability of legislation covering prevention of blindness and provision for blind people, which included the suggestion of an old age pension allowance applicable to blind persons on and after the age of 55. (This suggested age had a question mark after it.) In 1924 and 1925, Mr. Raymond was Chairman of a special committee established by the Federal Government to carry out investigations leading to Old Age Pensions legislation. Activity continued within the CNIB and resolutions of National Council were communicated to the Federal’Governtent. As well, the co-operation of various organizations interested in the welfare of aged people generally was solicited in order to avoid what might have been considered a purely class movement, and because it was felt a high percentage of sighted people over 70 and blind people over 50 were economically unemployable. Mr. Raymond advised that the committee of which he was Chairman was the first committee that ever brought in a definite plan, although the subject had been under investigation since 1907 by committees of the House of Commons. It was intended to hold a conference in the fall of 1925 between the Faderal Government and the Premiers of the Provinces, which was to be attended by Mr. Raymond and one member of his committee, but a general election was called and this frustrated the plan.
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However, a recommendation was made by this committee during the final session of the House before it prorogued, when all committees were disbanded.
In April, 1925, Clutha MaqKenzie wrote to Col. Baker outlining the new pension for civilian blind persons adopted by the Government of New Zealand, effective December lst, 1924, making pensions for the blind applicable at 20 years of age by an amendment of the long-standing Old Age Pension Act.
Efforts were continued in Canada to have legislation adopted by enlisting the support of clubs of blind people, service clubs, welfare organizations, etc., in sending resolutions, petitions or letters to the Prime Minister and their local Members of the House of Commons.
In answer to a letter to the Minister of Labour in April, 1926, Col. Baker received the following reply:
“Dear Sir:
“Replying to your letter of the 21st ult., which came to hand in due course, requesting advice as to whether an amendment to the Bill with respect to Old Age Pensions at present under consideration,might be affected, by which a reduction might be made in the age limit applied to the blind, perhaps your request can best be answered by quoting the statement made by the Prime Minister as appearing pn page 2647 of Hansard of April i6th, in answer to Mr. Woodsworth, M.P.:
‘I was just going t6 say to my friend from Winnipeg North Centre in regard to the case of the blind, of whom he has spoken, that I imagine there is no class in the community for whom we would desire to do more than for those who are deprived of their sight, but I think the matter of blindness ought to be considered independently of old age. This is experimental legislation at this stage, and I am afraid that if we burden it unduly by adding to old age other features, we may have difficulty in getting the general support we would like to have for this legislation. I would be inclined to think that any suggestion of that kind had better be deferred until after the statute is enacted, and if the provinces wish to make that proposal themselves in their own legislation, there would always be the opportunity if it were deemed advisable, to have our legislation amended. There is a further fact that the Federal Government at the present time is appropriating some money, not a great deal, specifically for the blind. I have in my hand a copy of the estimates, and one item, under Miscellaneous, refers to a
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vote that we expect to get from
Parliament for the blind – Grant to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, $10,OQO. If I recollect aright, there wasospme other vote for the blind we did appropriate in a previous year. I think we had better not at present introduce a new feature in this legislation.’
“Further I might also quote a reply made by the Prime Minister on Arril Igth to Mr. Wilson, M.P.:
‘The Government’s policy with respect to the Old Age Pension scheme, referred to in the question, is set forth in full in the legislation now before Parliament. In the opinion of the Government, it would be inadvisable to introduce any additional features to the legislation now before Parliament.’
Yours very truly,
(Sgd.) J.C. Elliot,
Minister of Labour.v
On May 28th, 1926, the Old Age Pension Act was adopted by the House of Commons, applicable to all citizens at the age of 70, subject to the Meana-Test and a residence clause. This was on a shared basis with the provinces and subject to adoption by each province and agreement with the Federal Government.
The pension authorized was $20 per month with additional income of $125 per annum permitted, a total of $365 per annum. All provinces adopted this legislation with the exception of Quebec and New Brunswick.
New Brunswick adopted Old Age Pensions in 1935.
Quebec adopted Old Age Pensions in 1936.
In February, 1927, Col. Baker met with the Minister of Ldbour, then the Honourable Mr. Heenan, who promised to do his best to secure the inclusion of an amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act, granting pensions to the blind at the age of 50.
By the beginning of 1932, the Manitoba League of
the Blind had been set up for the purpose of coordinating the request from blind people for pensions.
Every effort continued to be made for a Blind Persons’ Act or reduction in the age at which pensions became payable to blind persons, without success. Finally, in October, 1933, a united memorial was presented to the Rt. Honourable, the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada, signed by the National Council and all Divisions of CNIB, all branches of the
Canadian Federation of the Blind, the Montreal Association School for the Blind, the Ontario Association for the Blind, the Comrades Club, L’Aide aux Aveugles, the French-Canadian Association for the Blind, the Nil Desperandum Club of the Blind, Mr. A. A. Archibald, teacher of the Department for the Blind of thy Provincial School for the Deaf and the Blind of British Columbia, the Reliance Club of the Blind, the White Stick Club, Saskatchewan Provincial Committee on Welfare of the Blind, the Manitoba League of the Blind, the United Blind Persons Committee, the London Association of the Blind, Dr. W. B. Race, Superintendent of the Ontario School for the Blind, The Star of Hope Club of the Blind, The Excelsior Club of the Blind, the Nazareth Institute for the Blind the Quebec Association for the Blind. These signatures represented blind people across the whole of Canada. The memorial read as follows and was addressed to the Government of Canada:
“Gentlemen:
“The underlying reasons which led to the provision of pensions for the blind In Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand are precisely the same as those obtaining in Canada. Apace with a growing strength of public opinion supporting a movement in this direction for Canada, representations have been continued seeking legislation.
“During the past three years the problem itself has become accentuated by reason of individuals, families and agencies who have been contributing in support of dependent blind people, finding it increasingly difficult to meet the need because of conditions. On the other hand, the provision of general unemployment relief funds only deals with such cases from a destitution standpoint and does not recognize (a world accepted principle) that greater assistance is required to relieve the destitution of a blind person than of a sighted person. This is not a transient problem resulting from present economic conditions but is one of destitution arising from permanent unemployability because of blindness coupled with:age and/or other infirmities.
“Voluntary agencies in this and other countries
have tried to meet the need of the permanently unemployable adult blind but do recognize that sufficient private funds cannot be secured. The only adequate solution is the provision of a State pension or allowance.
“Blind persons and others interested in their behalf recognizing the difficulties of Governments under present conditions, approach the whole subject with great concern and make these representations at this time only because of the urgent need which exists.
“it is, therefore, respectfully ur3ed that legislation be enacted at the earliest possible date, providing pensions for the blind. However, if it is considered necessary to have the whole subject thoroughly
3 5 –
investigated by a special Parliamentary Committee, it is our earnest ho7e that such Committee will be appointed during the forthcoming Session pf Parliament to consider and recommend legislation.
May we assure you of our sincere desire to co¬operate in every possible way.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of::
The need of pensions for the blind at an earlier age continued to be the subject of constant study and repeated representations to Governments, both Dominion and Provincial. There was evidence of steadily increasing public understanding, sympathy and active support of pensions and other provisions for the blind. The majority of Provincial Governments expressed their support through Parliamentary discussions, resolutions, memorials addressed to the Federal Government, and the contemplation of contingent Acts. It was generally conceded that pensions for the blind should be inaugu¬rated by a Federal measure in order to ensure uniformity 6f application. while at first, there was an inevitable divergence of opinion amongst groups of blind people across the country, the differences were mainly due to variation of opinion on details affecting age limits, allowances, private earnings permitteo. etc., but the memorial presented to the Government of Canada in 1933 indicated complete agreement on the principle of pensions for the blinf.
The subject of pensions for the blind was officially discussed at the Interprovincial Conference called by the Government in January, 1934, held in Ottawa, when it was definitely established that the provinces were keenly interested and looking to the Government of Canada to lead the way in adopting pensions for the blind legislation.
In the 19?4 Session of Parliament, Dr. T. D. Cotnam, M.P., placed the following resolution on the order paper:
“That, in the opinion of this Fouse, the Federal Government should take into immediate consideration the advisability of amending the Old Age Pension Act, in order that the provisions of said Act may apply to those of 40 years of age or over who are suffering from blindness.
This was not reached in this session, but was reintroduced in the 1935 session, and in ‘ discussion which developed it was clearly evident that all parties in the Kouse of Commons were favourably disposed. Consequently, on the motion of the Honourable, the “inister of Labour, with the unanimous support of the Fouse of Commons, the question was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Industrial and International Relations, for consideration and report.
On April lst, 1935, the Standing Committee on Industrial and International Relations presented its second report to the House of Commons on this subject, as follows:
I Your Committee has held two sessions and have heard statements from eleven persons, with respect
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to the subject matter of the resolution to it for consideration under an ordey@of the House of Commons, dated January 31st, 1935, which’resolution reads as follows:
‘Resolved that in the opinion of this House the provisions of the Old Age Pensions Act should apply to blind people over 40 years of age.’
“As persons 70 years of age and over, whether blind or not, fall within the application of the Old Age Pensions Act in its present form, your Committee considered the position of blind persons between the ages of 40 and 70.
“Evidence submitted to the Committee indicated that the Old Age Pensions Act is in force in only 7 provinces out of 9 and its provisions, therefore, when amended, will not affect blind persons living in the remaining two provinces unless these provinces subse¬quently adopt the Old Age Pensions Act or the proposed amendments thereto.
“It also indicated that records of organizations interested in the blind place the number of the blind between 40 and 70 years of age at 3016. After making fair deductions, it was stated that 2178 would be affected by legislation requested by the said resolution. These figures are sufficiently in harmony with census returns to be considered reasonably accurate.
“The estimated expenditure occasioned by the proposed legislation, if the above figures are accurate and allowing the maximum of $240.00 per person per annum, would be under $550,000-00, apart from adminis¬tration expenses.
“The Committee regrets that the.terms of the resolution, if acceded to, will be of no assistance to blind persons residing in the two provinces of Canada in which the Old Age Pensions Act is not in effect, nevertheless, in order that the blind people shall be assisted as far as reasonably possible, desires to express its approval of the resolution in question.”
On April 3rd, Mr. F. W. Turnbull (Regina) who presented the above report, moved concurrence. Dr. I. D. Cotnam, who had moved the original resolution in the house, stated that in view of the fact that the Old Age Pension Act has not been adopted by the Provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, his resolution failed to meet the situation as intended and recognized by the above standing committee, and he moved that the words Nconcurred in” be struck out and the following substituted there for: “Referred back to the said committee with instructions that they have power to amend same by recommending that the house pass a special blind act applicable to the nine provinces of the Dominion and providing pensions for the blind over 40 years of age, on the same basis as the Old Age Pension Act”. A. W. Neill (Comox-Alberni) supported Dr. Cotnam’s resolution.
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However, the Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Honourable Sir George Perley, stated that inasmuch as he had not heard about this before, and that it was a matter that required i good deal of consideration, he felt the report should stpnd, in order to give the Government an opportunity to consider the question raised, and the Honourable Ernest Lapointe (Quebec East) stated he was prepared to support Dr. Cotnam’s amendment, as he had intended to oppose approval of the committee’s report “as it stands”; because it would certainly be unfair to a number of blind people in Canada. He favoured a special Act for the blind irrespective of the position taken by some of the provinces with respect to the provisions of the Cld Age Pensions Act, and moved that the debate stand adjourned.
This was a serious set-back, as Parliament recessed shortly after.
Mr. Turnbull telephoned Col. Baker, advising of his disappointment and fearing nothing could be done in this session, to which Col. Baker replied by letter, indicating his disturbance and the grievous disappointment that would be felt by blind people and their sighted friends. This was followed by a trip to Ottawa by Col. Baker, when he had interviews with Mr. Turnbull, Dr. Cotnam, Dr. Stanley, the Honourable J. Vtsley Gordon, and others. On April 17th Col. Baker wrote all CNIB Division Superintendents, Advisory Boards, trade unions and others interested, advising that Parliament would reconvene on May 20th with the prospect of a short session, and prompt action was necessary if any, legislation providing pensions for the blind at’an earlier age was to be enacted this year, and asking the Superintendents to advise blind persons in their Divisions of the situation, to allay to some degree their likely great disappointment, as legislation had appeared probable and was expected by all interested.
As a result, the following resolution was adopted b7 the clubs and associations of the blind across Canada, and forwarded to the Federal-Government and otherso as indicated in the final paragraph:
“WHEREAS in special meeting of the (name of club) held this 23rd day of April, 1935, at (address) representative of the blind of the City of………. of the
County of … &.. called to consider a report that pensions for the blind may not be reached by Parliament in sufficient time to be dealt with at this session; and WHEREAS Parliamentary discussions, together with the fav6urable report of the Parliamentary Committee on Industrial and International Relations at this session have created a definite impression in the public mind (including the blind) that pensions for the blind would be the subject of legislation during the present session; and WHEREAS since 1923 there has been developing a strong public opinion favouring pensions for the blind in Canada, similar in form to that which obtains in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, and that such public support has assumed great strength during recent months by reason of said Parliamentary discussion coupled with favourable legislative action in the
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majority of provincial legislative assemblies, endorsement by private and public welfare bodies, and a practically unanimous press across Canada, there being no recorded expression.to the contrary.l.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
(1)That immediately Parliament reconvenes the assistance of the Parliamentary Committee on Industrial and International Relations be requested, in order to remove any danger that the final report on pensions for the blind will not reach Parliament in plenty of time for Parliamentary discussion and governmental
action. 1
(2)That in the cause o; humane consideration of the economic problems of needy unemployable sightless Canadians any contemplative pension legislation will, it is hoped, rise above the subject of constitutional differences in opinion or meantime solution and take such form as Parliament may decide to be in the public interest.
(3)That in our opinion at this time there is nothing to add or to take away from the submissions made on behalf of the blind to the said Parliamentary Committee, and therefore, any further submission by the blind or their representative will in this respect not change the present position.
(4)That in preparing the foregoing, recognition has been given to both the difficulties of the Government and the needy unemployable blind at this time, and whilst this request is made by reason of a great need and in an effort to remove the danger of grievous disappointment, it is sincerely hoped the implementing of this request will not be unduly burdensome.
AND BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that copies of the said resokution be forwarded to the Government of Canada, the Chairman of the said Parliamentary Committee on Industrial and International Relations, and all Dominion Members of Parliament representing constituencies in the City of………… and the County of……….
There was tremendous support from a wide source of interested organizations and friends, newspapers and individuals., Col. Baker wrote to the Prime Minister, and many Members of Parliament whom he knew, advising of the concern he felt for the welfare of blind people in Canada generally, and particularly tho unemployable in all provinces. He stated that in suggesting an amendment to the Old Age Pension Act it at least possessed the merit of making available allowances in seven of the nine provinces, with a fair possibility of early application in one or both of the remaining provinces, and that he had been advised that request for a Federal Blind Persons’ Act this year might encounter the possibility of constitutional complications which might delay or render impossible any action this year.
Meetings of blind persons were hold in all areas across the country.
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Many acknowledgments tb,all communications were received from Members of Parliament, who promised their support, but nevertheless no action was taken by this session and it was not until 1937 that the Old Age Pensions Act was amended, reducing the age at which blind persons were eligible for allowances to 40 years, and the following annual rates of pension and other income established:
Pension,,Other IncomeTotal
Single blind person$240.00$200.00$440.00
Married to sighted spouse
or-single with dependents$240.00$400.00$64o.oo
Blind couple married before
the adoption of Old Age
Pensions Act$240.00each$200.00 each$88o.oo
Blind couple married after
the adoption of the Old Age
Pensions Act$120.00each$200.00 each$64o.oo
In 1945 the Old Age Pension was increased to $300-00 per annum.
In May, 1947, Old Age Pension was increased to $360.00 per annum, and the age at which blind persons became eligible was reduced to 21 years.
In April, 1949, the Old Age Pension was increased to $480.00 per annum and ceilings adjusted as given below:
PensionOther IncomeTotal
Single blind person$48o.oo$360.00$840.00
Single with dependents$480.00$56o.oo$1,040.00
Married, sighted spouse,$48o.oo.$84o.oo$1,320.00
Blind couple$480.00$96o.oo$1,440.00
In 1951 the Blind Persons’ Act was adopted by the Federal Government, under which an agreement could be made on behalf of the Government of Canada with a province to provide for the payment to the province of amounts not exceeding in respect of any recipient 75% of $40.00 monthly, or the allowance paid by the province monthly to the recipient, whichever is the lesser. The term Blindness Allowance was used in this Act in place of the word pension. Residence of ten years in the country was required.
In January, 1953, the Canadian Council of the Blind and the CNIB made two recommendations to the Federal Government;
1.That the basic allowance for the blind be increased to $50-00 per month.
2.That the Means Test attached to the Blind Persons’ Act be eliminated.
In June, 1953, the Superintendents of CNIB in
conference recommended that the Federal Government
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assume full responsibility for the payment of $40.00 a month allowance to the blind,free from the Means Test, and suggested an increase of V10.00 per month in the allowance. This was communicated to the Federal Govern¬ment but no action taken.
In December, 1953 a delegation from the Canadian Council of the Blind and The Canadian National Institute for the Blind met with the Prime Minister and nine members of the Cabinet, requesting elimination of the Means Test under the Blind Persons’ Act, but no action was taken.
In December, 1954, the CNIB and CCB presented a joint submission to the Prime Minister, which had previously been discussed with the Minister of National Health and Welfare and his Deputy Minister, as well as the CNIB Conference of Division Board Chairmen and Superintendents, requesting a reduction in the age at which blind persons became eligible for allowances to 18, the raising of permissible income to the present Income Tax exemption level, and a Means Test-free guiding allowance, payable by the Federal Government.
In 1955, the Blind Persons’ Act of 1951 was amended, reducing the age of eligibility for Blindness Allowance to 18 years of age, and increasing permissible incete.
On July lst, 1957, Blindness Allowance wai increased to $552.00 per annum, and in November of that year to $66o.oo, with new ceilings.
In 1962, Blindness Allowance was increased to $780.00 per annum, And permissible income increased.
On December lst, 1963, Blindness Allowance was Increased to $900.00 per annum, and permissible income increased as follows:
PensionOther IncomeTotal
Single blind person$900.00$600.00$1,500.00
Single with dependents,$900.00$1,080.00$1,980.00
Married, sighted spouse-$900.00$1,680.00$2,580-00
Blind couple$900.00$1,800.00$2,700-00
Persons receive allowances under one Act only, i.e., a blind person cannot receive Blindness Allowance and Old Age Pension or War Veterans’ Allowance, etc. If property is owned, the value is assessed and the amount of annuity that this would yield is considered as other income and the permissible income reduced by that amount.
;Since 1953 many requests have been made to the Government for the elimination of the Means Test but without success, mainly because the Provinces are unwilling to accept such legislation.
For more than ten years the CNIB and CCB have requested by submission of Briefs to the Government and personal interviews with Government ministers and officials,
–4 1,.
a Blindness Allowance paid wholly ty the Feteral Government. free of the “eans Test. This is known as the One Point Programme, but so far this reouest has not been granted.
You will now realize that’.- Governmental reform is not a sport for the short. winded. but it’s lot, of fun. Laura Hughes Lunde.
Mrs. Lunde was a crusader who made good government and civic betterment in Chicago her lifelong concern. She was a sister of Chester Fughes, who was a close friend of Col. BaRer’s in the Sixth Field Company, Canadian Fngineers. He was killed shortly after Col.’Baker was wounded. He is mentioned in ro Compromise . Their father was Dr. James L. Hughes, the well-known Superintendent of Schools in Toronto for almost 40 years, and Sir Sam Hughes was their uncle.
CANADA ASSISTAPCF ACT
The Canada Assistance Act is designed to replace the present Blind Persons’ Act, Disabled Persons’ Act. etc., granting allowances to all persons in need, based on their need but subject to a maximum amount allowed. Pt present this Act is being implemented to some extent in most Provinces i.e. the Province is obtaining financial support of its social allowance programme and probably staff training and other ser¬vices provided for in the Federal legislation. PPA has been replaced in Ontario by the Family Benefits Act and in Saskat¬chewan by the Assistance Plan. Ppplication for 9PA continues to be made as previously in all other parts of Canada. The trend is toward elimination of categorical assistance. Ontario grants a nuidiny allowance of 110.00 per month for those in receipt of EPA.
OLD AGE PENSIONS
In the case of Old Age Persions granted to all at
age 70 without the Means Test but subject to a residence clause often years, the age is being reduced by one year annually at which persons are eligible for pension until all will be eligible at age 65. This reduction commenced in 1966 and by 1970 will apply at 65.
INCONE TAX ACT
On Application of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind the Income Tax Act was amended in 1944, permitting all blind persons on additional exemption of $480.00 per annum in income, over and above the statutory exemption. This amount was increased to “y5OO.OO as from January lst, 1949.
BLIND VOTERS: LEGISLATIOP
In 1924 the Province of Alberta amended the Flection ,Act permitting a blind voter to have his ballot marked by a friend, who must take an oath of secrecy with regard to the name of the candidate for whom vote was cast, and th7t he has acted for this one blind person only. The same legislation applied to the “unicipal Act and City Act.
All provinces now have adopted similar amendments permitting a frient or the Returning Officer to mark the blind person’s ballot, under oath. These Acts have been adopted as follows:
1930 – The Federal Elections Act was amended, permitting a friend or the deputy Returning Officer to mark the ballot of a blind voter, under oath.
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1933,- Manitoba Elections Act was similarly amended,
also the Municipal Act. t
1939 – The British Columbia Elections Act was amended.
1945 – The Quebec Elections Act was similarly amended.
1947 – The Nova Scotia Election Act was similarly amended and in 1958 the Municipal Act.
1951 – The Saskatchewan Election Act was amended, also the Municipal and City Acts.
–The Ontario Election Act was similarly amended, also the Municipal Act.
–Prince Edward Island Election Act was similarly amended.
1952 – The New Brunswick Election Act was similarly amended, also the Acts for Counties, Towns and Villages.
1953 – The Newfoundland Election Act was amended, permitting the Deputy Returning Officer to mark the blind voter’s ballot, under oath, and a further amendment in 1965 permitted a friend to mark the blind voters ballot, under oath.
BLIND WORKMENIS COMPENSATION ACTS
In 1928, when placement of blind persons in general industry in Canada began, some companies were apprehensive about employing blind persons because they felt the accident risk would be greater and the costs for compen¬sation by their company increased., The CNIB made application for a special Blind Workmen’s Compensation Act to remove this deterrent to the placement of blind persons. Such Acts have now been adopted in all provinces, except Manitoba, in the following years:
1931-Ontario,
1943-Quebec
1944-Nova Scotia
1948-Alberta and New Brunswick
1949-Saskatchewan
1950-Newfoundland
1957-British Columbia
1962-Prince Edward Island
Under these Acts, where the full cost of compensation exceeds $50-00, the amount in excess will be paid by the Province concerned, upon receipt of certificate from the Workmen’s Compensation Board; in the case of industries where employers are individually liable, the Province will pay on the same basis to the employer.
In all the above provinces, except Quebec, the definition of blind workmen is: “Central visual acuity of 6160 or 20/200 or less in the better eye”. For Quebec it is: “Person deemed to be blind if his vision
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renders him incapable of doing work for which sight is essential”. In seven provinces CNIB is the only organization authorized to determine thy mature of work feasible and to make placement of blin6 persons in general industry. In Saskatchewan the CNIB and the Canadian Federation of the Blind are so authorized; in Quebec “An Institute for the Blind recognized by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on recommendation of the Commission”, and CNIB is recognized as such an agency. ln all provinces right¬of access to the place of employment of blind workers is granted.
To dato there have begn very few accidents to blind workmen in general industry and no major accidents or any requiring payment of pension under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. The number of blind workers employed in general industry during the year which ended March 31st, 1965, totalled 491.
BLIND PERSONSI WHITE CANE ACT
As the white cane had been used for some years by blind persons as an indication of their disability, and to avoid abuse of its use by others seeking the help of the general public in traffic,ctc., the CNIB made application to the Provincial Governments for legislation reserving the use of the white cane to blind persons. All provinces have adopted such legislation, with the exception of Quebec, under Blind Persons’ White Cane Acts, which all carry penalty of $25 or more for violation. The Act is in draft form in the Province of Quebec, but has not yet come before the House.
In 1947 the Provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario adopted Blind Persons’ White Cane Acts, with the definition of a blind person stated by Alberta as: “Person registered with GNIB or in receipt of pension from the Government of Alberta, or certified bl qualified eye specialist as having not more than 6/60 in better eye after correction with glasses”; by Manitoba and Ontario: “Registered with CNIB or in receipt of pension on account of blindness under Old Age and Blind Persons’ Pensions Acts and Old Age Pensions Act (Canada) or having been in receipt of pension on account of blindness under said Acts, is-in receipt of old age pension under the said Acts and still blind within the meaning of said Acts”. All of the above carry a penalty not exceeding $25, plus costs in the case of Alberta, for violation of the Act. In Manitoba and Ontario the Act applies only in respect of persons resident in the respective provinces.
In 1948 British Columbia and New Brunswick adopted similar A3ts. Under the definition of blindness New Brunswick added: “or certified blind by Chief Medical Officer of the Province”; while British Columbia omitted the last phrase above, but added: “or certified by duly qualified medical practitioner or by an optometrist rpristered under Optometr@ Act as having not more than 6;90 in better eye after correction with glasses”. The New Brunswick Act carries a penalty not exceeding $25; British Columbia, the same amount, plus costs. In New
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Brunswick the Act applies only in respect of persons resident in the Provinces
In 1949, Nova Scoti@ a piopted a similar Act, with a similar definition of blindness to New Brunswick, applying only in respect of persons resident in the province, and a penalty not exceeding $50 or prison for maximum of 25 days.
In 1950, Prince Edward Island adopted a similar Act, with definition of blindness the same as in New Brunswick, penalty not exceeding $25, and applicable only in respect of persons resident in the province.
In 1952, Saskatchewan adopted a similar Act, with the same definition of blindness as Manitoba and Ontario, but adding: “or certified by duly qualified medical practitioner or optometrist or optician who holds licence under Optometry Act, as having visual acuity after correction of not more than 6/6o or field of vision in each eye of less than 10 degrees The penalty is not exceeding $25 and the Act applies only in respect of persons resident in the province.
In 1956, Newfoundland adopted a similar Act, with definition of blindness the same as Manitoba and Ontario, a penalty not exceeding $25, and applying only to persons resident in the province.
A summary sheet on each of the above three Acts is attached, for eazy refer4n,e. tAppen6ix I)-CORNEA TRANSPLANT ACT
To provide legal protection for those concerned or involved in the removal of eyes from the body of a deceased person, for transplant to a living person, application was made to all provinces for a special Act. CNIB collaborated with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and those interested in making this application. All provinces, with the exception of Quebec, since it was felt this matter was already covered under present legislation in that province, have now adopted what is known in most provinces as the Cornea Transplant Act. The Act for Ontario, which was adopted in 1960, is Similar to all the others and reads as follows:
AN ACT TO FACILITATE CORNEA TRANSPLANTS FROM THE BODIES
OF DESEASED PERSONS TO LIVING PERSONS
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
1. In this Act, “person lawfully in possession of
the body” does not include -(A)A coroner in possession of a body for the purpose of investigation; or
(B)An embnlmer or funeral director in possession of a body for the purpose of its burial, cremation
45
or other disposition.,
2Where a person, either loh writing at anytime or orally, in the presence of st,least two witnesses, during his last illness, has requested that his eyes be used after his death for the purpose of improving or restoring the sight of a living person, and he dies in a hospital, the administrative head of the hospital, or the person acting in that capacity, may authorize the removal of the eyes from the body of the deceased person by a duly qualified medical practitioner and their use for that purpose. i
Where a person, eithe@ in writing or at anytime, or orally in the presence of at least two witnesses during his last illness, has requested that his eyes be used after his death for the purpose of improving or restoring the sight of a living person, and he dies in a place other than a hospital, his spouse or, if none, any of his children of full age or, if none, either of his parents or, if none, any of his brothers or sisters or, if none, the person lawfully in possession of the body of the deceased person may authorize the removal of the eyes from the body of the deceased person by a duly qualified medical practitioner and their use for that purpose.
4Where a person has not made a request under section 2 or S and dies either in or outside a hospital, his spouse or, if none, any of his children of,full age or, if none, either of his parents or, if’none, any of his brothers or sisters or, if none, the person lawfully in possession of the body of the deceased person may authorize the removal of the eyes from the body of the deceased person by a duly qualified medical practitioner and their use for the purpose of improving or restoring the sight of a living person.
5An authority given uder section 2, 3 or 4 is sufficient warrant for the removal of the eyes from the body of the deceased person by a duly qualified medical practitioner and their use for the purpose of improving or restoring the sight of a living person.
6(1) An abthori ty shall not be given under section 2 or 3 if the person empowered to give the authority has reason to believe that the person who made the request subsequently withdrew it.
(2)An authority shall not be given under section 4 if the person empowered to give the authority has reason to believe that the deceased person would, if living, have objected thereto.
7An authority shall not be given under section 2, 3 or 4 if the person empowered to give the authority has reason to believe that an inquest may be required to be held on the body of the deceased.
8Nothing in this Act makes unlawful any dealing with the body of a deceased person that would be lawful if this Act had not been passed.
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9 This Pct may be citec as tte Cornea Transplant
Act: ig6o.
In 1?57 New Brunswick adopted the Cornea Transplant Act.
In 1960 Ontario. Newfoundland Prince 70ward Island, Fova Scotia and Alberta adopted this Pct.
In 1961 Tritish Columbia ani Manitoba adopted this Act.
In 1962 Saskatchewan adopted this Act.
HU”AP TISSUF ACT
In 1962 – 63 Ortaric repealec the Cornea Transplant Act and replaced it by the Human Tissue Pct, 1962 – 63, which is an Act to provite for the disposition of bodies and parts thereof of deceased persons for therapeutic and other purposes. The wording is similar to that given above but designates the body or a specified part or parts thereof in place of ‘eyes@. British Columbia an& Plberta have now also adopted this Act in place of the Cornea Transplant Act.
VOCATIONAL REHAPILITATION OF DISAELFD PERSOPS ACT
This is an Act respecting the vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons and the co-ordination of rehabilitation services. It passed the FOuse of Commons on May lst, 1961.
The purpose of this let is to authorize thy making of agreements with provinces to provite for the sharino of costs incurred by the provinces in carryino out programmes of voca¬tional rehabilitation for disabled persons. The Act would also encourage the development And co-ordination of Federal activities in the field of vocational rehabilitation and the carrying out of reaearchin respect of vocational rehabilitation.
7be linister of Labour may, witt the approval of the Governor in Council, enter into an agreement with any province, for a period not exceeding six years, to provide for the payment by Canada of 50% of the cost incurred by the province in providing a comprehensive programme for the vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons, which includes those who are blinf, excepting persons eligible for vocational rehabili¬tation, under the Veterans’ Rehabilitation Act or the “orkmen’s Compensation Act–and provides for the utilization of the services of voluntary organizations that are carrying on activities in the field of vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons, such as the CNIB.
The Provincial Rehabilitation Department assists in traininF-on-the-job for a blins person for an agreed period on recommendation of the CNIT placement officer, This assistance amounts to approximately 50% of the trainees wages and is paid to the employer who is responsible for payment of total wages to the employee. Pore recently the National Employment Service has been superseded by the Canada Kanpower Department which has 5 regions each with a Director. This Department will accept a portion of trainin- costs where training is for a snecific job such as the Dictaphone transcriptionists in CNIF vocational course.
Provision is made under this Act for research in this field to be undertaken by the Government of Canada.
4 7-
The Pct provides for a 7ationnl Pdvisor7 Council on the Rehabilitation of Disable0@Per@lons, on which sit a representative of each of the te& provinces a representative from each of the Federal Departrerts of Health and Welfare, Veterans? Affairs Labour and the Unemployment Insurance Commission, ten members chosen on the joint recommendation of the Minister of Labour and the 7inister of National Health and Welfare, of which Mr. A.P. “apill, tne CHIE “anafing Director, is one, havinr replaced Col. Baker, who sat on this committee from the date of its inauguration until his retirement. “embers are appointed for a term not exceeding three years: but are eli7ible for reappointment. 4embers serve without remuneration. but are entitled to reasonable travel and other expenses.
This Act has been adopted by all provinces, an& generally, CCIF is represented on the Provincial Pdvisory Committees.
