Over life's hurdles : how handicapped people are fitted for jobs through vocational rehabilitation services

HURDLES
l!FE:S
OVER
HOW HANDICAPPED PEOPLE ARE FITTED FOR JOBS
THROUGH
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Atlanta, Georgia 1956

5,093 Disabled Persons Rehabilitated Last Year

GEORGIA

15 YEARS OF PROGRESS
5000-
4800_ IN VOCATIONAL

4600-
44()0_

REHABILITATION

4200 -
4000_



NUMBER OF
CASES CLOSED

3800- REHABILITATED

3WO_

3'tOO3200_ 3000_

2800-
2600_

2400-

2200-
2000-
~~
1800-

1600140012001000_ 800_

600_
.400- ~
1942 194319+4 194519161947 1948 1949 1950 1951 19521953 1954 19!",!; 19~
During fiscal years 1946, 1954, 1955 and 1956, Georgia led the nation in the number of disabled persons rehabilitated into jobs through Vocational Rehabilitation services.

Vocational Rehabilitation means the restoration of disabled persons to the maximum vocational, physical, social and economic usefulness of which they are capable.
The joint State-Federal program of Vocational Rehabilitation for civilians is a public service available to all who qualify under the legal requirements for eligibility.
To be eligible, applicants must be 16 years of age, or older, have a substantial job hanicap and have a reasonable expectancy of employment. The disability is removed or reduced through physical restoration services, when possible.
The lack of charity hospitals in most of Georgia's 159 counties has made Vocational Rehabilitation Services the chief source of help for thousands of men and women disabled by diseases. Crippling diseases cause the disability in more than 65 percent of the cases served.
For consecutive years (1954, 1955, 1956) Georgia has led the nation in the number of handicapped persons rehabilitated into jobs through this vital service. (See chart on opposite page)
This record has been made possible by Governors, Legislators and the State Board of Education members who have provided State funds to match Federal grants to the State and through the cooperation of public and private agencies, and business and professional leaders. Last year the total costs were divided 63 percent Federal and 37 percent State funds.
The need and opportunity for further expansion is indicated by the fact that on June 30, 1956, there were 5,579 persons receiving services and 9,189 applications pending.
The disabled men and women returned to jobs through the State-Federal program were dependent upon welfare agenices, relatives or charity organizations when they applied for assistance.
Now they are earning their living in all kinds of occupations, and contributing to the productive capacity and wealth of their communities, the State and the Nations.
State Director Vocational Rehabilitation Services

THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED-
Medical Examinations for all determine the extent of t he disability, uncover any "hidden" impairments, indicate work capacity and help determine eligibility. No charge to applicant.
Counsel & Guidance to help t he disabled person select and attain the right job objective. No charge to client.
Physical Restoration Medical, surgical, psychiatric and hospital care and physical and work therapy , as needed, to correct or reduce the disability. Rehabilitation funds used when individual cannot pay part or all costs.
Artifical Appl icances Limbs, braces, hearing aids and other devices, to increase work ability. Rehabilitation funds used when individual cannot pay all or part of costs.

-TO RESTORE WORK ABILI TY
Training in schools, colleges, on-the-job, by t utors or correspondence in preparation for the right job. No charge to client.
Transportation & Mainten
during training or treatment, as necessary. Rehabilitation funds used when individual cannot pay all or part of costs.
Tools & Equipment needed on the job, to give the disabled person a fair start. Rehabilitation funds used when individual cannot pay all or part of costs.
Placement in a suitable job-and follow-up to make sure he is satisfactory and safely employed. No charge to client.

Types of Disabilities in Cases Rehabilitated-At Time of Acceptance

Amputation of limb

Impairment of arm, leg or both

Back deformity or injury ....

Impairment of chest, neck or head

Facial disfigurement

Dwarf

.................. ..

Blind ................. .... ............. .. .

Visual defects

Speech defects

Deaf

.................. .

Defective hearing

Arthritis, general

Cardiac

Diabetes, general

Hernia ............. .. .. . ........................... .. .......... ..

Tuberculosis, pulmonary

Epilepsy ...................................... .

Psychoneurosis .................................... .

Other mental or emotional disorders

Hemorrhoids

.................. .. .

Bronchiectasis

Stomach ulcers

Gall bladder diseases

Goiter

Urological

Gynecological

Benign Tumors .................. .

All other disabilities

Total ....... ... ... ............ .. ..

Number
396 754 205 129
23 3 291 302 59 39 128 17 62 22 497 243 52 57 55
103
33 88 74 71 172 438 415 365
... ..5,093

Per Cent
7.8 14.8 4.0 2.5
.5
5.7 5.9 1.2 .8 2.5
.3 1.2 .5 9.8 4.8 1.0 1.1 1.1 2.0 .7 1.7 1.5 1.3 3.4 8.6 8.1 7.2
100.0

Partial paralysis of all four limbs keeps this young man confined to a wheel chair, but he operates his own business - a neighborhood grocery store.

Advances in medical science since World War II have made it possible to rehabilitate seriously disabled people who, before that time, would have been doomed to invalidism and an early death. In this disability group are the paraplegics--individuals who have become paralyzed from the waist down as the result of spinal injuries.
Through proper medical care in rehabilitation centers, most of these people can be restored to self-sufficiency and employ-
m~nt.
In recent years, many such cases have been successfully rehabilitated under the Georgia program. These men and women are working as accountants, secretaries, office managers, watchmakers, shoe repairmen, in professions, and other occupations.
In this connection, Dr. Howard A. Rusk, Director of New York's Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a world authority in his field, has said:
" . . . . It is my unequivocal opinion that Georgia has the finest ,..~ate Rehabilitation Program in the country. We have had many severely disabled Georgians referred to us, and they have been beautifully prepared for rehabilitation and they have been sent without regard to race, creed or color, the only goal being to get them back into productive life again."
A double amputee learning to ...se prostheses at rehabilitation clinic.

Job Status Before Rehabilitation
DISABLED FARMERS AND FAMILY WORKERS
30Cjfo

What the Case Service Dollar Buys -

521 were getting public or private welfare benefits at a
cost to taxpayers of about $475,000 a year.

It costs less to rehabiltate a disabled person than to keep him on Welfare rolls for one year.

Training
At the close of the fiscal year, 1,357 clients were receiving academic or trade training in various schools and colleges, and in business establishments throughtout the State.
The facilit\es at two State-operated trade schools--the North Georgia Trade & Vocational School at Clarkesville, and the South Georgia Trade & Vocational School at Americus-- are regarded as ideal for the training of handicapped persons in a wide range of skills. Currently about 150 clients of the Division are enrolled at these schools.

New Projects
Under Public Law 565, passed by Congress in 1954, special grants to states were authorized for extension and improvement projects and for projects which "hold promise of making a substantial contribution to the solution of vocational rehabilitation problems common to all or several states".
This law, hailed as a "new charter" for the disabled, was designed to make possible progressive increases in the number of rehabilitations annually in the nation to 200,000 by 1959.
Georgia has recieved approval of a number of projects under the liberal provisions of the act.
They include: (1) Funds to provide special rehabilitation services to epileptics. Realizing that control of seizures is of paramount importance if the epilleptic is to be made employable, the divison, in cooperation with interested physicians and hospital authorities, helped to establish clinics in Atlanta and Augusta to which all epileptics are referred. At these clinics, a complete diagnostic work-up featuring a neurological examination, skull X-ray , electroencephalography, psychological evaluation, and a social and vocational diagnosis is secured for each epileptic. Once his problem has been evaluated, each epileptic is provided the best treatment and counsel available and, at the same time, plans are made for his vocational future. When maximun seizure control has been attained and vocational plans have been completed, these formerly misunderstood and neglected people are ready for vocational placement. (2) special project to rehabilitate disabled parents or guardians of children receiving ADC Public Welfare benefits, thereby converting tax-consumers into tax-payers. Co-operating in this project are: The State Welfare Department, Fulton County Welfare Department, and various community agencies and organizations. (3) Funds for expansion of psychological services to clients in helping them to select occupations in keeping with their aptitudes, abilities, intelligence and personality. (4) Funds to expand services to the blind in rural communities and open new job opportunities in agricultural occupations. (5) Special project to increase the number rehabilitated after r elease at Milledgeville State Hospital.
An artificial arm and training at a busineess school made it possible for this young man to become a successfu I bookeeper.

OASI Disability " Freeze"
The Georgia Divison of Vocational Rehabilitation was designated by the U. S. Department of Health , Education , and Welfare as the agency in this state to review r ecords and pass upon the applications of disabled workers for "freeze " benefits under amendments to the Social Security laws.
The new law provided that during pr ol onged disability there shall be no reducation in the worker's average earnings or in the amount of work needed to qualify for fu ture payments under i::>ocial Security.
Another purpose of the law was to bring to the attention of vocational rehabilitation agenicies disabled workers who may be returned to gainful employment through physical restoration , training or other services. Beginning December 1, 1956, all applicants for Social Security disability benefits will be referred to Vocational Rehabilitation agencies for rehabilitation evaluation and services.
In signing the new law, Presiden t Eisenhower said : "We will, of course, endeavor to administer the disallili ~y provisions efficiently and effectively in co-operation with the states. I also pledge increasing emphasis on effor ts to help rehabilitate the disabled so that they may return to useful employment".
Since June 1955, more t han 6, 000 claims for benefits have been filed. The Bureau of Old Age and Survivors Insurance pays the operating costs of this unit.
Annual Earnings of Rehabil itants
$6,306, 144

Before Rehabilitation
2,774 Unemployed.
1,346 Disabled farmers and family workers.
Only 973 (19 % ) of the 5,093 rehabilitants were getting any wages when they started rehabilitation, and they were in part-time, temporary or unsafe jobs, or threatened with discharge, because of disability.

After Rehabilitation
A net gain of $5,082,324 in buying power the first year after rehabilitation.
These figures do not include the earnings of 1,346 farmers and family workers, which were not estimated.

$1,223,820

Blind M en Le arn To Ope rate Green Houses
Services fo r the Blind
In Georgia, blind persons, as well as the sighted, receive Vovational Rehabilitation services through this Division of the State Department of Education.
During the fiscal year 1955-56, 291 blind persons were renabilitated into employment. They were prepared for and placed in all types of jobs which do not require vision. During the year, 166 received surgery to improve vision. Twenty-two blind men and women were aided .. in college careers, and all graduates are employed.
Many visually-handicapped persons have farm backgrounds and want to reurn to their own communities to work.
Special projects were undertaken to open. more employment opportunities for the blind in rural areas.
With State and Federal funds, a modern green house was built at the Georgia Academy for the Blind as a facility for teaching' youth and adults the fundamentals of horticulture.
Thirty-two other agricultural projects were inaugurated. They are Chiefly in the fields of poultry, swine, beef cattle and dairy cattle production, and fish bait growing.
During the summer of 1956, the facilities at the Academy were used as an adju tment center for blind adults, to determine their potentials for rehabilitation.
The 26 enrolled there received training in unaided travel, personal care , homemaking, household mechanics, home gradening, typing and Braille. Many of these trainees have been place in jobs.

Vending Stands
Vending stands in public buildings, institutions and industries, provide profitable employment for blind persons who other- . wise might be dependent upon Public Welfare aid.
There were 52 stands, employing 65 managers and assistants, operating in Georgia on June 30, 1956.
Sales of soft drinks, packaged food , candy, tobacco products, and other articles, amounted to $649,400 during the fiscal year.
Operators earned $134,008 - an average of $2,161 per person employed.
The vending stand program is supervised by the Division and the Georgia Co-operative services for the Blind, Inc. , a non-profit organization of civic leaders which provides funds for the purchase of initial stocks of merchandise.

Above - Blind child learning to use Braille writing machine. At right - Blind boy learning to read Braille.
Teaching the Blind
The Georgia Academy for the Blind, like the Georgia School for the Deaf, is under the general supervision of the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation services.
The Academy at Macon is a fully accredited institution offering the same basic academic training found in regular public schools. Teaching aids designed especially for the blind are used.
Special emphasis is placed upon music and vocational training. Upon graduation, pupils may be provided with advanced academic or technical training through Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The construction of a physical education building, estimated to cost about $200,000 , has been authorized . This will provide for a well-rounded program designed especially to meet the needs of blind children.
-~!I;Ht!ii'4.~<."' fOt "t
Architect's drawing of proposed new physical education building.

Deaf child learning to speak through use of mirror.
Georgia School for Deaf
Children entering school for the first time have a big problem because of the language barrier. It usually takes three or more years to teach a deaf child enough words, through speech reading and imitation of the teacher's facial expressions, to begin to read for himself.
The program at Cave Spring includes, in addition to speech reading, the academic subjects usually taught in elementary and high schools. The oral method of instruction is emphasized. Vocational courses include: print ing, beauty culture, typing, home economics, power machine sewing, wood working, shoe repairing, masonry, laundrying and poultry.
The construction of a classroom-auditorium-library building, estimated to cost about $300,000, has been authorized. It will replace a 70-year old structure which had been condemned as a fire hazard.
'Architect's drawing of proposed new classroom and auditorium building.

Governor Marvin Griffin

State Board of Education George P. Whitman, Jr., Chairman

(By Congressional Districts)

First -H. W. Blount ......... ........

......................... .............. Waynesboro

Second - Wm. T. Bodenhamer .

.......... ... .. ...

.............. Ty Ty

Third - Clarke W. Duncan

................ ....... .. .... ... ... ...... .......Buena Vista

Fourth - James S. Peters .... .............. ..... .. .... .. ............................ .. .. Manchester

Fifth - George P. Whitman, Jr. .... ...... .. ..........

...... ............. College Park

Sixth - Francis Shurling ......... ......... ....... ... ... .. .................. .......... .. ... Wrightsville

Seventh - Henry Stewart ...... ........ ... ......... ................... ......... .... .. .... Cedartown

Eighth - L. E. Sweat ........

...... ... ... ... ......... ...... ............. ..... Blackshear

Ninth - Mrs. Bruce Schaefer ..... .... .... ...... ... .... ....... .............

Toccoa

Tenth - Mrs. Julius Y. Talmadge ....... ... ... .. .

...... .... . ........

Athens

State Department of Education

Dr. M. D. Collins State Superintendent of Schools

A. P. Jarrell, Director Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Albany ....

Albany District 415 Pine Avenue Building, Phone Hemlock 6-1509

Americus ....... ........... .... ..

........... S. Ga. Vocational School, Phone 5148

Bainbridge

... 224 South Broad Street, Phone 448

Thomasville

309 Upchurch Building, Phone CA 6-2587

Valdosta

305 University Drive, Phone 4302

Waycross

400 Bunn Building, Phone 824

Atlanta .

Atlanta District ... 1430 W. Peachtree St., N. W., Phone Trinity 5-8701

Gainesville District

Gainesville

126 North Main Street, Phone Lenox 4-7201

Athens .. ...

110 Hancock Avenue, Phone Liberty 3-3865

Battey Hospital ..... .. ... .. ........... .. ................. . ............... . ..... Rome, Phone 7773

Clarkesville

......... ..... ........ .. .... . N. Ga. Vocational School, Phone 3-4841

Rome

................... ,.. 314 West Building, Phone 8438

Macon District

Macon .................. . Columbus . Dublin .... Milledgeville

............ .... 406 Bankers Insurance Bldg., Phone 2-7321 ........................ 411 Flowers Building, Phone 2-1904 ....... Morris Building, Phone 119

Savannah Augusta Brunswick

........ Way Bui

This map shows the distribution by counties of the 5,093 disabled persons rehabilitated into jobs during fiscal 1955-56 through Vocational Rehabilitation services.