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We hope that we will be able to dedicate the National Center itself to Helen Keller and the Research and Training Building to

Mary Elizabeth Switzer.

in

Not to proceed now would destroy one of the most unique movements in which the Social and Rehabilitation Service has taken leadership in behalf of a minority group of citizens who had been greatly neglected over the years. What has been done thus far proves without any doubt that, given proper opportunity for research and training, not only the more capable deaf-blind population of the United States can be rehabilitated, but we have definite proof, addition, that many of those who have been neglected for many years in homes for the retarded and institutions for the mentally ill can be salvaged. As we pointed out in the beginning of this great movement, this work will not depend on miracles, but on devotion and skill, and the provision of adequate services and facilities. Our continual prayer is that we can now take the remaining step to accomplish all of this.

Peter J. Salmon
Director

National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults

P.S. Attached hereto is copy of a letter, dated April 17, 1972, out-
lining actions taken at a meeting held Tuesday, April 11, 1972,

with summary of costs and authorization for action to be taken,
from Regional Engineer.

Subject: National Center for the Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults,
Approval of Preliminary Drawings

Sands Point, New York

The preliminary drawings submitted by Frederick Weidersum and
Associates are approved as we agreed during our conference on
April 11, 1972.

The various comments we discussed will be incorporated into the final drawings as agreed to by Messrs. Weidersum and Swinson at that conference.

A recapitulation of the significant decisions reached are as follows:

1. The preliminary drawings are acceptable to our office
and the IHB, and consequently can be approved.

2. Following formal approval of the preliminary drawings,
the IHB will direct the Architect to proceed with the
next phase of the agreement (i.e. the preparation of
the final drawings and specifications).

3. The modifications agreed to at the conference will be
incorporated into the final drawing.

4. The seven houses for the staff will be deleted. The IHB and ROFEC think that it would be more advantageous for all concerned to exclude these structures.

79-885 - 72 pt. 2 37

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National Center for the Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults,
Sands Point, New York

Approval of Preliminary Drawings

5. The architectural agreement will be amended adjusting the fee as originally agreed.

6. The construction costs based on current price indices and these drawings are as follows:

* Include the Residence Building, Training Center,
Vocational Training Building, outdoor training

area.

We shall continue our close liaison with your office and the Architect to sustain the rapid progress of this project.

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NATIONAL CENTER FOR DEAF-BLIND YOUTHS AND ADULTS

Legislation introduced.

CHRONOLOGY

When the legislation was being projected,

and before IHB was notified that it had been selected as the agency to conduct the Center, an amount of $2.5 million was estimated to be the cost of construction of the Center.

October 3, 1967 - National Center authorized under the 1967 Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. (Both the Senate and the House of Representatives voted unanimously for the creation of the National Center.)

June 24, 1969 - The Industrial Home for the Blind selected by SRS to operate the National Center.

November 12, 1969- Permanent agreement signed by SRS and IHB.

June 2, 1970 In IHB testimony before the House Committee on Appropriations, it was indicated that the grant of $2.5 million for construction would not be sufficient. This statement was based on preliminary plans for an institutional type Center. This was at a time when IHB did not have land for the Center and the architects of record had not been appointed, but one of the IHB Trustees who is an architect donated his services, and he warned that even the limited type of facility planned for the National Center would cost at least $3.3 million. It may be well to point out that since 1966 construction costs in the New York area have been going up on the basis of 15% to 18% a year.

February 22, 1971

Twenty-five acres of surplus property at Sands Point, Long Island, conveyed to THB by Director, HEW Region II.

February 22, 1971 $2.5 million for construction of the National Center committed to IHB by Administrator of SRS. (Funds made available to IHB on June 28, 1971.)

December 6, 1971

Frederic P. Wiedersum Associates, Valley Stream, L.I., selected as architects to draw plans for the construction of the Center with the approval of the Regional Engineer, Region II, and the IHB Committee on Selection of Architect and Construction.

April 17, 1972

Preliminary drawings with firm cost figures agreed upon by IHB Selection and Construction Committee and the Regional Engineer, Region II, and authorization given by Regional Engineer for the architect to proceed with working drawings.

The $2.5 million that have been appropriated for constructing and equipping the permanent facilities of the National Center have been supplemented by

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the unused funds of the first two annual operating budgets. After the deduction of some expenditures and commitments that have already been made for surveys, legal fees, test borings and test pits, this supplementation amounts to $339,615. Thus the total funds available to meet construction costs are approximately $2,839,600. However, the total firm cost for constructing and equipping the permanent facilities for the National Center amounts to $7,820,000., so this leaves $4,980,400 needed to complete the National Center under the present plans.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ADDITIONAL SUM OF $5. MILLION BE AUTHORIZED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DEAF-BLIND YOUTHS AND ADULTS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT SANDS POINT, L.I., N.Y., TO BE EXPENDED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE.