Library Collections: Document: Full Text

We are all aware that it is more or less difficult for young and inexperienced blind persons to establish themselves in communities where they are strangers. The man with sight will in a few weeks establish friendly relations with those about him. A glance of the eye, a nod of the head, and certain acts of courtesy win for him the recognition of his fellows and speedily break down the barriers of strangeness and reserve. The disadvantages of the blind in this particular can be largely overcome by the superintendent of the school taking measures to have his graduates properly introduced to the leading people of the towns or villages in which they are to settle. This he can do by personal visitations and by letters of introduction from himself and interested friends. I need not go more fully into this matter of proper introduction, as I believe its importance will be at once realized. It may be of interest to recount the measures that are taken to meet the needs of the graduates of our tuning department in the school for the blind at Halifax: It is decided that F. B. is to locate in M--- I at once set about to secure the addresses of all persons in M--- who have pianos, and immediately send out a circular letter recommending the tuner and guaranteeing his ability to perform satisfactory work. The tuner goes to M--- and calls upon those to whom letters have been sent. When he secures a piano and tunes it to the satisfaction of its owner, he requests that a brief testimonial be entered in a small book which he carries for the purpose. After he has obtained several of these local testimonials he finds no great difficulty in securing regular employment. New testimonials are added as opportunity offers. A similar method can be used to advantage by teachers of vocal or instrumental music.

Graduates of schools for the blind should make a point of joining some local society, organization, or brotherhood, and thus come into friendly contact with the men and women of the locality in which they reside. I always strongly recommend my graduates to identify themselves with the communities in which they live, and I know of no better way for them to do so than by becoming members of some philanthropic or mutual benefit society. The friendly association with workers in the same cause is socially and materially advantageous to them. It broadens their view of life and arouses upon the part of their fellow-members a keen interest in their success.

To sum up: Our graduates need specific training; they need to select with care the locality in which to reside; they need to have money in their pockets; they need to be properly introduced, and they need to identify themselves with local organizations. These needs being met, we should have no fear as to their success, provided their industry and the quality of their work merit the support and encouragement of their fellow-citizens.