lack of contact with the practical means through which they could reach and become a part of what is to many of them the "outside world." The essential ingredient they lack is not the physical deficiency which has held them back, but universal acceptance of the idea thtat the world does hold a place for them and that that place can be reached without superhuman effort. I think it safe to say that in 9 out of 10 cases, once that assurance is given and the way pointed out, the handicapped person is well on the road to being reborn into the world of useful human beings. The guidance and placement program envisaged in H. R. 9171 presents a magnificent opportunity to give our handicapped and their families such a rebirth.

The economic advantages to the Nation and to our local communities which can be gained by using the handicapped as a human resource rather than a charitable load cannot be gainsaid. The small amount of money which H. R. 9171 authorizes to get the program underway is only a drop in the bucket compared to the tremendous cost of present public-assistance programs and others which aim merely to keep the handicapped alive, to say nothing of the cost to families in supporting and providing care for those suffering from physical handicaps.

For every person now causing a drain on the economy who can be turned into a wage earner through the specialized help this bill would give, by just so much will every taxpayer in the United States benefit. Thousands upon thousands of these people will be converted into wage earners if H. R. 9171 becomes law. I, personally, will be happy to do anything I can to help in enacting the bill and I urge this subcommittee to take the necessary first step by issuing a favorable report without delay.

Mr. ELLIOTT. The Subcommittee on Special Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor will now stand adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

(Thereupon the hearing was adjourned at 11:50 a. m.)

WELFARE OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1957

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION OF

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR,

Washington, D. C.

The subcommittee met at 10 a. m. in room 429, Old House Office Building, Hon. Carl Elliott (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Mr. ELLIOTT. The Subcommittee on Special Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor will resume its hearing of the testimony of those interested in H. R. 9171, together with similar bills that are pending before the committee.

Before we get started today I want to take note of statements that have been filed for the record.

The first statement is that of Miss Grace H. Ward, 1474 Columbia Road NW., Washington, D. C., a member of Challenger Lodge 143, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped.

Next is a statement of Ruth E. Loyster, president, Lodge 76, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Inc.

Next is a statement of Robert J. Buettner, second vice president of the American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Pennsylvania State Department.

Next is statement of Dr. Harry Clifton Byrd, president emeritus, University of Maryland, College Park, Md.

Next is a statement of Jack McConville, Lodge 113, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Next is a statement of Lloyd Schachte of Lodge 113, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Next is a statement of Cecile G. Bishop, president of Lodge 131, American Federation of Physically Handicapped, Nashua, N. H. Next is a joint statement of Mrs. Letitia Pratt and Miss Frosina Kolocotronis.

Next is statement of Lois Jane Gregg, representing the Pittsburgh Lodge of the American Federation of the Physically Handicapped. Next is statement of Miss Eleanore Blum, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Next is statement of Miss Margaret McCallan, of Johnstown, Pa. Next is statement of Dora E. Goodman, first vice president, Challengers Lodge 143, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Inc., Washington, D. C.

And next is statement of Mrs. Hazel E. Jones Turner, 1630 Fuller Street NW., Washington, D. C., a member of Challenger Lodge 143, the American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Inc.

53

Without objection these statements will be made a part of the record at this point.

(The statements referred to are as follows:)

STATEMENT OF MISS GRACE H. WARD, WASHINGTON, D. C. (STIFF KNEE AND HIP), MEMBER OF CHALLENGER LODGE 143, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

Chairman Elliott and members of the committee, enactment of House bill 9171 to provide a National Committee for the Training and Development of Selective Placement Personnel at this session of Congress is most urgent.

Handicapped persons have never asked special consideration from Congress on the basis of sentiment, but they do have particular problems which can be best handled by the Federal Government working with the various States.

There is no sound economic reason why thousands of physically handicapped persons should be deprived of an opportunity to obtain gainful employment simply because the right persons are unable to be placed in the right jobs.

There are numerous aspects of the handicapped program in relationship to Federal and State coordination, but of primary importance at this point is the need of finding and training counselors and other placement personnel to do the job that must be done.

House bill 9171 will help set the wheels in motion for a significant advance toward the goal of the proper job for every handicapped person who wants to work.

As secretary of Challenger Lodge, No. 143, American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, in Washington, D. C., I express my appreciation of this opportunity to present our position on this bill. It is our sincere hope that it will be enacted during this session of Congress.

STATEMENT OF RUTH E. LOYSTER, PRESIDENT, LODGE 76, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, INC.

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, the need for and value of a National Committee for the Training and Development of Selective Placement Personnel is vividly illustrated by two statements. In an address (Asks 2-Year College for Technicians, Detroit Free Press, November 15, 1955) Dr. Blake R. VanLeer, president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, estimates that, due to great industrial expansion and progress, the number of technicians needed approaches 100,000 per year. Then in his column (Brain Power Being Wasted by Failure To Use Handicapped, Ypsilanti Daily Press, April 14, 1955), Roger W. Babson deplores the wasted brainpower, which he calls our most wonderful and valuable asset, by not utilizing the talents of our physically handicapped citizens. He estimates that at least 1 million physically handicapped persons who at present possess the capabilities are denied the opportunities to use fully their brainpower and special talents. These two factors emphasize the role which the national committee, as proposed in H. R. 9171, could play in bringing together the talents of the handicapped to meet the needs in the technical fields and by so doing benefit everyone.

A recent and brief inquiry into the employment problems of the handicapped in Michigan shows these facts. A letter this summer from the Michigan Employment Security Commission states that through their branch offices approximately 7,000 physically handicapped persons are currently seeking work. This figure takes into account only those who go to the employment offices to register for employment and naturally excluded a greater number of severely physically handicapped persons who may never have been employed. Out of a probable 90,000 handicapped citizens over age 16 living in Michigan who, it believes, could benefit from rehabilitation, the Michigan Office of Vocational Rehabilitation estimates it will have partial contact with about 15,000 persons; of this number it is thought that not more than 4,000 will complete total rehabilitation programs this year and be ready to return to remunerative employment.

These 4,000 handicapped persons who soon may be considered ready for employment exemplify the additional problem. How successful will they be in securing their own jobs? It is common knowledge to the handicapped in Michigan that, for the most part, in practice the vocational rehabilitation office

feels its work is completed upon rehabilitation of the individual. Then the handicapped person should apply at his local employment office for assistance in job placement. However, he soon finds that the placement official can only refer the handicapped to possible job openings. It is generally understood that the placement counselor does not have any authority to help place the handicapped or the information about positions available, their actual physical requirements, or enough knowledge about physical disabilities to best advise the handicapped job seeker. In most cases the placement counselor does not, or cannot act, as liaison between the employer and the handicapped.

Another instance of the need for more and better trained placement personnel is shown by the separate State agency serving the blind in Michigan. For a State the size and with the population of Michigan there are only three vocational counselors to serve the blind. One services Wayne County in which Detroit is located; the other 2 counselors must divide between them the work of the remaining 82 counties. A few days ago a friend, who is sightless, told me that 1 of the 3 counselors is new at her job and admits that she has little knowledge of the problems and their solutions to the placement of the blind. Althought in itself these few data may not appear significant, added to the statistics and facts from other sources the importance of this proposed legislation should not be questioned. Automation and rapid scientific advancements of our time increase the necessity for the provisions in H. R. 9171.

A favorable and strong point of this bill is the concept to provide for training personnel not only in guidance toward employment but also in assistance for placement for the handicapped. Here, a comparison may be drawn from a successful experiment about which the Overstreets tell (Harry and Bonaro Overstreet, Making Life Make Sense, Detroit Free Press, February 24, 1957). To put energy back into unemployed men who had lost hope by the repetitious and humiliating experience of asking for work and being turned down, they were asked to help each other find jobs. Although often obscure, one knows that individuals do not always secure their positions solely by themselves. By its provisions H. R. 9171 could help open the closed doors of employment opportunities to the handicapped.

To clarify the meaning and perhaps aid the purpose of the bill, there is one suggestion. Under section 1 (f) (1) why not add the words "and the professions" after "competitive business, industry, and agriculture?" Checking the meaning of these words, one finds that "industry" means specifically any activity connected with producing commodities, especially on a large scale which involves labor and capital. Specifically "business" means any activity engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. Even used in its broader sense to mean work, occupation, or employment, the idea of positions in the professions and services is not clear. A number of individual handicapped persons have distinguished themselves in the professions and services. So, why not provide the means to explore the employment possibilities in these positions, too, and thus better utilize the brainpower and talents of the physically handicapped?

Mr. Chairman, will you and members of your subcommittee please accept the opportunity to help this cause? We urge you and hope you will report favorably on H. R. 9171 and work for its enactment by Congress.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT J. BUETTNER

Honorable chairman and members of the committee, I am Robert J. Buettner, second vice president of the American Federation of the Physically Handicapped, Pennsylvania State department.

I believe in bill H. R. 9171 as it will provide Federal funds for the physically handicapped to train those that can be trained for respective jobs, and thereby put them into income positions in their respective communities. As to the investment by the United States Government, what other business could produce a profit such as would be produced by these physically handicapped in the form of income tax? It would also enable these handicapped to secure the respect and security in their communities not now enjoyed by such handicapped people that are still on the relief rolls.

The first and biggest pitfall to overcome as far as a handicapped is concerned is to give the particular person a feeling of confidence. I myself experienced this as I have my left foot amputated and am now associated with my uncle, who

owns and operates an insurance agency in the city of Johnstown, Pa., and who employees 14 people, 7 of whom are handicapped. Also I had the good fortune of attaining a college education at the Pennsylvania State University and thereby I am in a position to realize the importance and necessity of a training course for the physically handicapped. The training that I secured and the confidence shown by my employer were definite factors in my learning and applying myself to my fullest abilities. There is another case in this insurance office and that is of a girl who has her hand off. This girl operates a switchboard in the office and also takes care of all the files. She was trained for this job and therefore is well equipped for it. If such a program could be set up under the direction of the Federal Government, I am sure that a profitable and secure future could be provided for the employable handicapped.

STATEMENT OF DR. HARRY CLIFTON BYRD, PRESIDENT EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK, Md.

Mr. Chairman, my name is Dr. Harry Clifton Byrd and I am president emeritus of the University of Maryland.

I wish to address myself specifically to the needs and benefits of the educational phases of H. R. 9171.

There can be no doubt that the science of selective placement of the physically handicapped is all too little known. No effective efforts have been made in that direction, consequently no well understood methods have been developed. It is obvious they should be, because otherwise we shall continue to have a great waste of productive manpower.

I can remember when I was approached at the University of Maryland and asked to set up a permanent study on the placement of handicapped. I was interested and favorable to the project, but the big difficulty, then and now, was and is the lack of qualified people to teach and practice placement of handicapped people in the many thousands of jobs in industry, on the farms, and in various businesses. In other words, before we can have students, it is necessary to have teachers; and before we can have teachers, we have to have a well defined, comprehensive program, adaptable to the needs of the various educational institutions in the United States, so that we may have a starting point from which to develop the many untapped resources of such a program.

I believe, therefore, that Congress should enact this bill and provide, through the medium of this proposed committee, a means to establish a program, the benefits of which will increase with use and time. I am sure, once this committee brings out its program, it will have a most responsive and favorable reaction from many educational institutions.

I need not tell you that universities and colleges in most instances lack money. Therefore, financial cooperation through the grant system as outlined in the bill should be the most effective means to bring about establishment of duly constituted educational groups devoting their time to continual improvement of methods and procedures.

I strongly urge approval of this bill, knowing its need and the many benefits that will emanate therefrom.

I thank you.

STATEMENT OF JACK MCCONVILLE, LODGE 113, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, PITTSBURGH, PA.

Mr. Chairman, the counseling and placement of handicapped persons is a highly specialized field for which special talents and instruction are needed.

Unfortunately, in far too many cases, the men and women who have been employed as counselors and as placement officers had no particular talents for the jobs; no formal education or instruction, and there have been occasions when those jobs were political plums or were obtained as a matter of personal gratuity.

Section I, subsection f, paragraph 4 of the bill would provide for the training of counselors who would be capable of doing the work assigned to them, and with a background of instruction and experience, would consider their job as a career in which they would take pride.

This bill, when it becomes law, would help greatly to set up standards which would make possible the elimination of unqualified persons now working as