custody. Officials of agencies designed solely to serve the blind have used their power and office to coerce and threaten blind persons seeking to exercise their right to associate with others who share the common bond of blindness.

The bill which is before your committee would prevent such interference and intimidation by forbidding Federal officials to exert the influence of their office against such voluntary activities by the blind, as well as by requiring the Secretary of the Department of HEW to take steps to insure that no officials of State programs receiving Federal contributions may exert influence against organizations of the blind.

The bill would, however, do more than merely prevent such interference. It would also affirmatively assist the blind in their movement toward social and political equality by directing that, to the fullest extent practicable, the Secretary of HEW shall consult and advise with representatives of organizations of the blind and shall encourage State agencies to do likewise in their administration of Federal-State services for the blind.

These two purposes of the bill are simple and uncomplicated. I am confident that the Members of this House will be prompt to recognize their justice and their urgency.

STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES ROOSEVELT IN SUPPORT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEMPORARY NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE BLIND

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I appreciate the opportunity to present this brief statement in support of my bill (H.R. 3067) to establish a temporary National Advisory Committee for the Blind. May I point out now that this proposal is identical to H.R. 1855, a measure introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative D. R. (Billy) Matthews, and is either identical or similar to other bills now before the subcommittee for consideration.

Because the subcommittee is well aware of the substance of this legislation and because other witnesses, including Representative Matthews, have appeared before me, my comments in this connection shall be brief. Also, it is my understanding that similar proposals have been introduced in previous Congresses, and I am sure this subject is not a new one.

I have always been extremely interested in the services for and activities of the blind, including their medical care, rehabilitation, education, and employment. The drive, stamina and fortitude they demonstrate in overcoming and mastering their handicap never cease to impress me profoundly.

The mastering of blindness, in my opinion, is a real life success story. Certainly these handicapped persons are to be commended for refusing to succumb to the hazards and vicissitudes of life and for creating for themselves a life of light in darkness. Tribute should also be paid to the various Federal, State, local, and private agencies which, in behind-the-scenes roles, sponsor the many wonderful programs which figure so prominently in each success story. John Quincy Adams once said that the great object of the institution of civil government is the progressive improvement of the condition of the governed. With this in mind, Mr. Chairman, I have offered a bill which would provide a basis for the coordination of the various activities and services of the Federal, State, and local agencies so they can more effectively aid the blind. I do not intend to convey the idea that I am criticizing existing programs. On the contrary, I am commending them. However, I believe we should always be concerned with making our good better and our better best.

This legislation would set up a nine-member, temporary national advisory committee to investigate and study the entire field of existing Federal, State, and local activities related to the granting of services to the blind, including the history and development of such activity. This committee, after a 2-year life span, would report its findings and recommendations to the President and to Congress. This committee would accomplish the following:

Promote greater coordination and mutual cooperation among Federal agencies; provide guidance in the development of uniform objectives and procedures, improved methods, and more effective programs of services for the blind; plan and organize studies and research projects; study and evaluate existing programs; determine how much Federal money is being spent on behalf of the blind; recommend proper allocation of Federal funds; study the public assistance aid to the blind programs and other programs; investigate duplication of services among Federal, State, local, and private agencies; consider special treatment and training for the large number of people who are

handicapped by limited, deteriorating eyesight, but who are not under medical care at present.

The purpose of this, Mr. Chairman, is to improve the services for and activities of the blind. What is more, such a program would be a morale builder and a servant of democracy because it would emphasize the tremendous strides made by these handicapped persons and would record the roles of the various agencies in helping the blind make these strides.

I sincerely submit that such a committee as I have described is needed, and I further submit that this legislation is in harmony with one of our historical goals-to progressively improve the condition of the governed. This legislation would result in increased benefits for the blind, and, consequently, in increased benefits for the Nation.

It is my hope that your committee will issue a favorable report on this bill.

RESOLUTION

Whereas the National Association of the Physically Handicapped, a nationwide organization of physically handicapped men and women, is dedicated to working for full and equal rights for all physically handicapped persons; and Whereas when any group of physically handicapped men and women is being denied constitutional guarantees afforded to nonhandicapped citizens, a threat to the citizenship status of all physically handicapped persons is present; and Whereas it is the understanding of this organization that for many years now some administrators and employees of State and private agencies for the blind which receive Federal funds for the purpose of furnishing various types of services to blind persons have used their control and authority over rehabilitation programs, aid-to-the-needy-blind programs, sheltered workshop employment, higher education grants, and other similar services, as weapons to prevent blind persons from joining organizations of the blind; and

Whereas these reported violations of the constitutional rights of blind persons have become so numerous that a bill entitled "A bill to protect the right of the blind to self-expression through organizations of the blind" has been introduced into the 86th Congress; and

Whereas the aforesaid bill has been introduced into the House of Representatives by Representative Walter S. Baring of Nevada as H.R. 14; and Whereas identical bills to H.R. 14 have been introduced in the House of Representatives by 47 other Representatives from 20 States; and

Whereas a bill identical to H.R. 14, S. 1093, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts and cosponsored by 32 other Senators from 23 States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the National Association of the Physically Handicapped, meeting in national executive council assembled in Washington, D.C., this 21st day of February 1959, That this organization does hereby express its wholehearted support of H.R. 14 and companion bills and S. 1093, and does strongly urge the scheduling of early hearings and favorable action on this much-nee.ed corrective legislation; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to Representative Carl Elliott of Alabama, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Education of the Committee on Education and Labor, and to Senator Lister Hill of Alabama, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, and to each member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, and to each member of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.

Attest:

MARY ELLEN MACDONALD,

Secretary, National Association of the Physically Handicapped, Inc. FEBRUARY 21, 1959.

Mr. ELLIOTT. Now we are happy to have present Mr. Elliot Richardson, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, who is accompanied by Miss Mary E. Switzer, Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and by Mr. Louis Reeves of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

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Mr. Richardson has a statement which has been distributed to the members of the subcommittee.

May I say to you, Mr. Richardson and Miss Switzer and Mr. Reeves, that we are very happy to have you and that you may proceed to testify in any manner that you desire.

STATEMENTS OF ELLIOT RICHARDSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, MARY E. SWITZER, DIRECTOR, RUSSELL J. N. DEAN, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR, AND LOUIS REEVES, OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

Mr. RICHARDSON. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am not sure whether in identifying the people who accompanied me you included, in addition to Miss Switzer and Mr. Reeves, Mr. Russell J. Dean, the Assistant to the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation..

Mr. RICHARDSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I would like to read a brief statement which I think will present more succinctly the views of the Department on the legislation before you than I could do in attempting simply to talk extemporaneously.

I hope the committee will not hesitate to interrupt me and, if I find that any question is one that goes beyond my own competence, I would like to feel free to call upon Miss Switzer or her associates who are here to provide the answer.

We appreciate very much, Mr. Chairman, the opportunity to meet with you to present the Department's view on the various proposals before you relating to blindness and work for the blind.

One group of bills before the subcommittee, including H.R. 356, introduced by yourself, Mr. Chairman; H.R. 1855, introduced by Congressman Matthews; and H.R. 5243, introduced by Congressman Fogarty, provides for a national study by a temporary commission of the problems of blindness and work for the blind. While these bills vary somewhat in scope, their common objectives are to improve services to blind persons and to increase opportunities for the blind to participate actively in the economic social, cultural, and educational life of the Nation. We fully endorse these objectives.

A national study of the needs of the blind and the services necessary to meet these needs has often been suggested. The American Foundation for the Blind, the American Association of Workers for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, and the American Association of Instructors of the Blind have sponsored legislation for such a study in the last several sessions of Congress.

The investigation of the Subcommittee To Investigate Aid to the Physically Handicapped, House Committee on Labor (78th Cong.) in 1944-45, covering the whole field of disability, was one of the first congressional efforts to approach the study of blindness on a national

scale.

As that study indicated, the problems of the blind are as broad and as varied as the problems of human affairs, for the blind represent all classes, conditions, and interests of our society. Any approach to their needs must be on a comprehensive basis, permitting participation and advice from local, State, and National groups and individ

uals, with full attention to both voluntary and public programs which serve the blind directly or indirectly.

In the structure of the Federal Government, there are many agencies which are concerned with one or more phases of the needs of our blind citizens. A national study should be in a position to fully assess the present laws and programs for such agencies as the Veterans' Administration, the Library of Congress, the National Research Council-National Academy of Sciences and the several agencies which administer related provisions for taxes, transportation and other special services and benefits.

In the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare alone, the breadth of interest and responsibility for serving the blind and for studies relating to blindness is so extensive that it constantly cuts across organizational lines and programs. Directly involved by law are the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; the Public Health Service and its research arm, the National Institutes of Health, including especially the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness; the Office of Education; the Social Security Administration and its Bureaus of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, Public Assistance, and Children's Bureau; and the federally aided American Printing House for the Blind.

There are upward of 320,000 blind persons of all ages in the United States today. About 55 percent are males and 45 percent are females. Available estimates indicate that about 79 percent of blind persons are over 40 years of age and 52 percent are over age 65.

With the average age of our adult population expected to climb steadily for the next several years, and with blindness more prevalent among older persons, due primarily to such conditions as cataracts and glaucoma, we can expect the number of blind persons to increase proportionately.

Historically, the problem of blindness has been dealt with largely on an emotional basis. Only in recent years has the concept of reintegration into full participation in our society been given serious consideration. Much progress has been made. But more must be done if blind persons are to participate fully in this 20th century society.

The accumulation of centuries of historical attitudes is still with us in varying degrees. The attitudes of parents of blind children, persons with blind neighbors, teachers, employers, and the public at large range from complete and intelligent understanding, to traumatic and overtly expressed sympathy, to rejection which is usually subtle and disguised.

Most blind persons have lost their sight after having had vision. The adjustment such a person can make is likely to depend in large measure upon his attitude as a seeing person. Quite naturally, therefore, some blind persons expect to be rejected by people who see, while others expect to be accepted. Many persons, both blind and sighted, believe the public should do almost anything that anyone suggests to "help the blind," and the public administrator who stops to examine the value of proposals frequently finds himself in an unpopular position.

Among the scores of public agencies and hundreds of private agencies and organizations having a major or primary interest in serving the blind there are wide variations in purpose, philosophy,

approach, and methodology. Many of them are constantly seeking and putting into effect new ways of providing services to blind persons which will better help them to reduce the handicapping effects of blindness in their economic, educational, social, and cultural lives. Others are slow to accept new ideas and new concepts of services.

A national study and assessment of the problems of blindness and work with the blind could, we believe, do much to stimulate a national atmosphere or social climate for developing a positive and realistic attitude among the blind and the sighted.

There are many questions and problems with which such a study could deal. The answers could help chart the course and philosophy of a dynamic and sound program of services for blind persons for decades to come.

Some of the questions and problems with which a study should be concerned are:

(1) Is our present generally accepted definition of blindness sound, or does it require modification?

(2) Are our present estimates sound as to the current and future prevalence and incidence of blindness, and do they provide an adequate basis for planning programs of services?

(3) How many and what kinds of personnel are needed to adequately serve blind persons?

(4) What changes are needed in present Federal and State laws relating to blind persons? For example, how well suited are income maintenance programs to the needs of the blind, and do they need modification at this time?

(5) What are and should be the respective roles and responsibilities of public and voluntary agencies in work for the blind?

(6) What are the similarities and differences of the States facilities for blind persons, and how do they compare in quality and quantity? (7) How adequate are educational and other services for blind children to equip them for maximum utilization of their capacities? (8) What are the various research groups, public and private? (9) What is the status of efforts to develop prosthetic appliances for the blind, and what kind of special tools and instruments do blind people need?

(10) What are the attitudes of the public toward the blind, and what are the attitudes of the blind toward the seeing?

(11) What are the relative merits of present methods and resources for making printed and written information accessible to blind persons?

(12) How can we best utilize our resources, Federal and State, public and private, in providing coordinated meaningful services to all of the Nation's blind persons who need them?

The various bills before the committee all recognize the necessity for adequate financing to provide the necessary staff to carry out this complex and highly important study. We fully concur with the need for adequate financing and staff. As to the specific organizational mechanism for conducting the study, we would prefer broad language which specifies that members shall be appointed from among persons widely recognized for their knowledge of or experience or interest in problems related to the blind and the needs of blind persons. We believe this would help assure a broad and comprehensive approach permitting participation and advice from local, State, and National