National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults 105 Fifth Avenue New Hyde Park, N. Y. 11040 Tel.: Area Code 516-746-4440 Operated by The Industrial Home for the Blind Vol. 2, No. 3 April, 1972 Photograph shows temporary headquarters of the National Center in remodeled warehouse. Nat-Cent_News is designed primarily for the information of deafblind persons and published in large type for those who have some remaining sight so that they can read it themselves. It is also published in Braille. WORLD SURVEY ON WORK FOR THE DEAF-BLIND By Peter J. Salmon, LL.D. Director For some months now we have been working on a survey of work for the deaf-blind in various countries of the world on behalf of the Committee on Services to the DeafBlind of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, of which the writer is Chairman, and Dr. Edward J. Waterhouse is Co-Chairman. This is a very elementary kind of survey in which we have simply asked those persons with whom we were in contact to identify any progress in work for deafblind persons. The response has been gratifying, and the results of the survey are being sent to the Executive Committee of the World Council which meets in May of 1972, after which the survey will be available for those who may be interested to have a copy of it. 2 We are reminded over and over again that while devoted people in various areas of the world have concerned themselves with the problems of deaf-blind children and adults, the over-all situation is one which gives great concern because services for the deaf-blind still lag 75 to 100 years behind those for the blind. The educational institutions have led the way in most instances throughout the world, as they have in the United States, in providing training and education for deafblind children. On the other hand, as we read the many replies we have received we are encouraged that some real progress is being made and that there seems to be movement on behalf of deaf-blind persons to a greater extent than ever before. Our hope is that even this rather primitive approach in the compilation of the various communications we have been receiving will serve to bring about thought 3 and action that will result here and there in an upward movement to bring a better day to deaf-blind persons. PLACEMENT OF JOHN HANCOCK By Robert J. Prause Placement Specialist Mr. John Hancock, who celebrated his fiftieth birthday while in training at the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, was successfully placed at the Beehive Clothing Mills in Salt Lake City, Utah. He started his training at the National Center on August 23, 1971. He came to the Center with 27 years of work experience. During these years he worked as a deaf person and terminated his employment when the loss of a great deal of his vision made it impossible for him to perform his clerical duties. It was because of Mr. Hancock's very extensive work background and eagerness to learn and participate in the rehabilitation |