Biennial report of the North Carolina Commission for the Blind

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GOVERNMENT WKm
WAKE CO. PUBLIC LIBRARY
RALEIGH, N. C. 27601
NORTH
~*
CAROLINA
STATE
COMMISSION
FOR THE
BLIND
Biennial Report
July 1, 1968 through June 30, 1970
piwm RAJ
Miss Erma Lou Padgett, secretary, Raleigh District Office
"And I will bring the blind by
I will lead them in paths that
I will make darkness light bef
a way they know not;
they have not known;
ore them."
— Isaiah xlii, 16.
Biennial Report
N. C. State Commission for the Blind
July 1, 1968 - June 30, 1970
COMMISSION MEMBERS
1968-69
James S. Bailey,
Charlotte, N. C.
H. C. Bradshaw
Durham, N. C.
Samuel J. Cole
Raleigh, N. C.
Herbert L. Hyde
Asheville, N. C.
Sam Alford, Chairman
Henderson, North Carolina
O.D. Clifton Craig
Raleigh, N. C.
George E. Gibbs
Murfreesboro, N. C.
Alden Honeycutt
Raleigh, N. C.
Jacob Koomen, M.D.
Raleigh, N. C.
Dave R. Mauney, Jr.
Cherryville, N. C.
Claude Myer
Raleigh, N. C.
Sam M. Cathey
Asheville, N. C.
Howard E. Jensen
Columbia, Mo.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
1969-70
Herbert Lee Hyde, Chairman
Asheville, North Carolina
John P. Ballard
Hillsborough, N. C.
Wiley F. Bowen
Dunn, N. C.
H. C. Bradshaw
Durham, N. C.
Mrs. John Bass Brown Jr.
Charlotte, N. C.
Miss Shirley L. Harris
Thomasville, N. C.
Dr. Romeo H. Lewis
Clinton, N. C.
Dr. Harry H. Summerlin
Laurinburg, N. C.
Linton Suttle
Shelby, N. C.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
1970-71
Herbert L. Hyde, Chairman
Asheville, North Carolina
John P. Ballard
Hillsborough, N. C.
Wiley F. Bowen
Dunn, N. C.
Mrs. John Bass Brown, Jr.
Charlotte, N. C.
Miss Shirley L. Harris
Thomasville, N. C.
L. B. Holt, M.D.
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Mordecai Katzin, O.D.
Jacksonville, N. C.
Romeo H. Lewis, M.D.
Clinton, N. C.
Robert Sosnik, O.D.
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Professional Advisory Committee
1969-70
Dr. L. B. Holt, Chmn.
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Dr. Frank B. Day
Raleigh, N. C.
Dr. Daniel Smith Currie Dr. Mordecai Katzin
Fayetteville, N. C. Jacksonville, N. C.
Dr. John D. Robinson
Wallace, N. C.
Dr. M. Wayne Woodard
Asheville, N. C.
Professional Advisory Committee
1970-71
Dr. M. Wayne Woodard, Chmn.
Asheville, N. C.
Dr. John D. Robinson, V-Chmn, Sec.
Wallace, N. C.
Dr. Daniel Smith Currie
Fayetteville, N. C.
Dr. Frank B. Day
Raleigh, N. C.
Dr. C. Z. Deal
Hickory, N. C.
Dr. E. W. Larkin, Jr.
Washington, N. C.
Blind Advisory Committee
1969-71
Judge Coleman C. Cates, Chmn.
Burlington, N. C.
Henry Belk
Goldsboro, N. C.
Mrs. Charles W. Brooks
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Dr. Joseph Himes
Greensboro, N. C.
Howard E. Moody
Durham, N. C.
Richard Napier
Wrightsville Beach, N. C.
76E00539
Foreword
This report from the N. C. State Commission for the Blind
covers the biennium ending June 30, 1970. It does not, therefore,
reflect the appointment of Wilbur E. (Sam) Early on October
10, 1970 as Commission Executive Director. This report was
written by the several division heads in whose departments the
activities reflected occurred. It was edited and published under
the supervision of Mr. Early and his staff in the administrative
division.
During- the 1968-69 fiscal year, members of the Commission
for the Blind held regular quarterly meetings in September,
December, March and June. Chairman Sam Alford of Henderson
presided. During the 1969-70 year, the Commission continued
its practice of regular quarterly meetings, convening in Septem-ber,
December, March and June. A special session of the Com-mission
was held in Raleigh on August 27, 1969. Chairman
Herbert L. Hyde of Asheville presided. While minutes of these
meetings are not printed in this report, they are available on file
with the chairman and at the State Office.
This report reflects considerable progress in the medical,
social and rehabilitation programs available to the blind and
visually impaired citizens of North Carolina. It is a reflection of
not only the ability but the dedication of the some 265 members
of the staff of the Commission serving in the Raleigh office and
in seven district offices throughout the State. It is these people
of the staff whose efforts and abilities make possible the con-tinuing
good programs of service of the Commission for the
Blind.
Herbert L, Hyde
Chairman
NORTH CAROLINA STATE COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
P. O. BOX 2658 RALEIGH. N. C. 27602
ROBERT W. SCOTT W. E. EARLY
The Honorable Robert W. Scott
Governor of North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Governor Scott:
In compliance with the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina,
I hereby respectfully submit to you and, through you, to the General Assembly
and to the people of North Carolina, the biennial report of the North Carolina
State Commission for the Blind for fiscal years July 1, 1968-June 30, 1970.
This report constitutes a review of the financial transactions and the
programs of service administered by the State during the 1968-70 biennium
for the aid and benefit of the blind and visually handicapped citizens of
North Carolina. The Commission appreciates the vigorous support received
from you, the legislature and other friends who have helped make it possible
to submit this progressive report. We hereby pledge to use our best efforts
as we continue to carry out the duties and responsibilities entrusted to the
Commission for the Blind by the General Assembly.
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
State Library of North Carolina
http://www.archive.org/details/biennialreport68nort
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction 1
Bureau of Employment Division 3
Medical Services Division 5
Rehabilitation Services Division 9
Social Service Division 20
Financial Reports 29
Information Directory 36
Appendix : Aid to Blind Requirements 37
Appendix : Aid to Blind Statistics 39
Appendix : Appeals Statistics 40
Appendix : Register of the Blind 41
Appendix : Medical Services Statistics 56
INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina State Commission for the Blind was
created as a public agency by the 1935 General Assembly. Its
purpose is to provide a state-supported program of medical,
social and rehabilitation services that will enable the blind
citizens of the State to develop their maximum usefulness to self
and society. The Commission now has four major divisions of
service. All activity is channeled through the administrative and
finance divisions.
The Medical Division works in the areas of prevention of
blindness, conservation of sight and restoration of vision. Major
emphasis is placed on providing the medically indigent with eye
examinations, as a means of early detection and treatment of
pathological disorders which might result in blindness. Medical
eye clinics are held in over 90 counties and at four large hos-pital
teaching centers.
The Social Service Division administers or helps coordinate
federal and state programs of financial aid to the indigent blind
and provides a program of special services needed by all blind
people, if they are to participate in home and community
activities.
The Rehabilitation Division conducts a number of programs
designed to equip the blind individual with vocational skills. Four
of these programs are: (a) general rehabilitation service, (b)
a rehabilitation center for the adult blind, (c) a home industries
program which provides skill training and sales outlets for the
homebound blind, and (d) an industrial workshop program
which provides job training and employment opportunities.
The Bureau of Employment Division is a specialized reha-bilitation
effort. The Bureau operates a small business manage-ment
program that trains and employs blind vendors in conces-sion
stand operations. These stands are located in local, city,
state, federal and private office, institutional and industrial build-ings
through the state of North Carolina.
Commission for the Blind programs are supported finan-cially
through allocations of federal, state and local governments.
North Carolina's program for the blind is one of few in the
United States administered through a single agency devoted
specifically to the unique needs of the blind and visually handi-capped.
North Carolina programs for the blind and visually
handicapped rank at or near the top in numbers of persons
reached and successfully rehabilitated.
Policies and procedures for program administration are
established by a nine-member Commission appointed by the
Governor. This group is advised by two committees who are
also appointed by the Governor. The Blind Advisory Committee
is made up of six legally blind North Carolinians. The six Pro-fessional
Advisory Committee members are ^| IB^ either
optometrists or ophthalmologists.
The Commission appoints an Executive Director as the chief
administrative officer for its programs. The Executive Director
is also in charge of all professional employees who work for the
agency. In the 1968-70 biennium, the Commission had some 260
employees located either in the State Office ; in one of seven dis-trict
offices, at Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Greensboro,
Raleigh, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem; or in one of two
special rehabilitation service units at Butner and Raleigh. In
addition, the Commission has social workers for the blind located
in county Departments of Social Service throughout the state.
Any report on work for the blind would be incomplete with-out
acknowledgement of the volunteer services of private civic
and professional organizations who aid the effort with contribu-tions
of time and occasional supplementary financial contribu-tions.
In North Carolina, the members of Lions International
have worked in continuing support of the State Commission for
the Blind since a committee of interested citizens, most of whom
were Lions, sought the legislation which created the agency in
1935.
Others who have rendered invaluable service to the overall
North Carolina effort for the blind and visually handicapped are
various federal and state governmental units, national, regional
and local chapters of organizations devoted to service for the
blind, the General Assembly, the Governor's office and numerous
individuals, particularly the members of the Commission and
the Blind and Professional Advisory Committees.
Bureau of Employment Division
Provides Jobs for Blind Vendors
Michael Schenck III,
Deputy Director for the Bureau of Employment
The Bureau of Employment Division of the N. C. Commis-sion
for the Blind provides and maintains continuing employ-ment
opportunities for blind individuals who are able to work
but unable to find suitable employment in today's highly com-petitive
labor market.
The Bureau is more commonly known as the Commission's
vending or concession stand program. This program provides a
good source of employment for over 100 blind people each year
and, at the same time, creates a favorable and acceptable image
of blindness. A confident blind person effectively serving his
customers from an attractive and well-designed unit has a pro-found
influence upon the public in establishing public confidence
in the abilities and skills of blind people.
The Bureau has several responsibilities to the agency and
its clients. The first is to find locations and establish stands where
it is possible for blind persons to be employed successfully.
Second, and of equal importance, is provision of training in small
business management and stand operation. Then the Bureau as-sumes
responsibility for initial job placement. During the 1968-
70 biennium, 36 trainees were referred to the Bureau for train-ing
and subsequent employment by the Rehabilitation Division.
On June 30, 1970 the Bureau was operating 120 stands and
employing 118 legally blind operators who were earning an aver-age
weekly salary of $73.77. During the biennium the earnings
of the Bureau of Employment Division's visually handicapped
staff totaled $808,144.97. In addition to their salaries, the Bureau
provides its blind stand operators with free hospital insurance
coverage, life insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid vaca-tions,
and cumulative sick leave with pay.
In making surveys relevant to the feasibility of establishing
new stands, the Bureau is often granted concession privileges
in plants and office buildings whose total occupancy does not
justify the expenditure of funds necessary for the establishment
of attendant-type service. In these locations, various types of
vending equipment are utilized and the profits from the opera-tion
are distributed as bonus payments to the blind operators.
These bonus payments are made on a length-of-service basis
and during this biennium totaled $24,440.
New Opportunities
Additional employment opportunities for blind persons have
also been made possible through new outlets such as modern
mobile trailer units at construction sites and vending machine
locations. In a few locations, the Bureau has experimented with
supplementing the concession stand operation with a meal-time
catering service.
The new procedures begun during this biennium, such as
the use of mobile units and experiments with meal-time catering,
were an effort to compete with challenges brought about by new
and changing practices in the overall food service industry. To
meet these competitive challenges, the Bureau must keep abreast
of the merchandising and retail sales techniques that insure the
success of any business venture.
During the biennium 1968-70, the staff of the Bureau of Em-ployment
enjoyed and profited from cooperation with numerous
individuals and agencies. These friends and advisors include the
Lions clubs of North Carolina, the N. C. Association for the
Blind, the N. C. Department of Conservation and Development,
the General Services Division, State of North Carolina, the Gen-eral
Services Division of the U. S. government, numerous state,
county, and local municipal officials, and hundreds of interested
citizens.
Medical Division Provides Eye
Care for Indigent Citizens
Lucy 0. Griffin, Deputy Director for Medical Services
The Medical Division of the N. C. State Commission for the
Blind is responsible for eye care, including examinations and
treatment, for the qualified medically indigent population of
North Carolina. This program guarantees that no person in the
state will lack proper eye care because of lack of funds.
The three-fold objective of the Medical Division is : (1) pre-vention
of blindness, (2) conservation of sight, and (3) restora-tion
of vision. In accomplishing this goal, the following services
are made accessible:
Eye examinations, through clinics staffed by consulting oph-thalmologists
and registered nurses or in the offices of opthal-mologists,
eye, ear, nose and throat specialists, or optometrists.
Drugs, limited to prescriptions for diseases of the eye.
Hospitalization, for corrective eye surgery and treatment.
Eye glasses, for corrected vision only.
Artificial eyes, the only allowable cosmetic provision.
Consulting services, to other Divisions of the Commission for
the Blind and to other agencies and individuals interested in
the development and extension of eye care services for the
indigent visually handicapped.
Cooperative services, including staff assistance, to other
agencies and individuals involved in eye care service programs
approved by the Commission.
Procedures for Securing Service
All clients who receive eye care through the Medical Division
must first be certified by the Department of Social Service in
the county in which they reside. The Commission establishes
criteria for certification and the actual certification process is
handled by a local social worker for the blind.
After a client is certified, he is referred for his initial
examination. All clients have freedom of choice. They may
choose to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist or they may
go to an established group eye clinic. Clinics are operated in 91
counties by District Medical Supervisors from the Commission's
seven district offices and at medical teaching centers in Durham,
at Duke Hospital and the McPherson Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat
Hospital ; Chapel Hill, at the University of N. C. Memorial Hos-pital
; and in Winston-Salem, at the N. C. Baptist Hospital. New
clinics are established by the Medical Division, upon requests
from counties that establish a need for services. All the clinics
operated by the Commission for the Blind are served by certified
ophthalmologists, opticians, and registered nurses.
Urged to Return
Clients seen in Commission clinics who show evidence of
progressive pathological disorders are urged to return for
periodic checkups and treatment. Clients who need corrective
eye surgery are advised to go to the surgeon of their choice. In
conjunction with professional staff members from other Divi-sions
of the Commission, all clients are provided with the neces-sary
follow-up services to enable correction of their visual
problem or preservation of their available visual acuity.
In addition to their duties in the eye clinic program, all
employees of the Medical Division have general and specific obli-gations
in the area of public education. This is particularly im-portant
in the areas of prevention of blindness and conserva-tion
of sight.
The nurses employed by the Commission provide informa-tion
on general sight preservation, safety, good eye health prac-tices
and general program services to their clients, professional
colleagues and to the general public. An example of a public
education project conducted during the 1968-70 biennium is the
effort by the Medical Division to provide instruction in eye health
care and safety for the N. C. Migrant Health Program. Visits
were made to migrant labor headquarters where information was
made available for crew leaders, who in turn contacted laborers
and their families.
Causes of Blindness
Public education and advances in medical science have made
possible a drastic reduction in the number of cases of blindness
due to infectious diseases. In the future, it is reasonable to expect
that most diagnoses of total blindness will fall in the general
categories of hereditary disease and accidental injuries.
Leading causes of blindness seen in Commission clinics and
elsewhere in North Carolina are cataracts and glaucoma. Both
All patients are examined by
doctor of their choice.
Commission nurse helps patient
smile through drop therapy.
Commission clinic patient gets measured for glasses; 13,060
persons were furnished glasses in the 1968-70 biennium.
these conditions are associated with the aging process and are
common among older people. Cataracts are a cloudiness of the
lens which blocks the passage of light and makes vision difficult.
Glaucoma results from excessive pressure within the eyeball.
Unless the process is arrested, vision slowly diminishes until it is
entirely gone. With proper care, there is no need for total blind-ness
from either cataracts or glaucoma.
Diabetes and vascular diseases are the third and fourth lead-ing
causes of blindness. The blindness is a result, primarily, of
degeneration in the retina. New surgical techniques and correct
procedures of treatment can be combined to prevent total blind-ness,
in most instances.
Cooperative Programs
During the 1968-70 biennium, the Medical Division of the
Commission for the Blind cooperated with a number of other
state and private organizations and agencies to extend eye
care services to a broader segment of the total population.
Programs were implemented to provide eye examinations
and referrals for treatment for all persons housed in state insti-tutions
of mental health and juvenile correction. A similar pro-gram
was begun to provide eye care for residents of convalescent
nursing homes.
Commission District Medical Supervisors worked in roles
of liason and coordination for numerous clinic programs spon-sored
by other organizations. Examples are the pre-school eye
screening program and the specialized glaucoma detection clinics.
Another special clinic operation is a program sponsored in
certain areas for the purpose of rehabilitation in the area of
reading. Participants in these clinics are taught the principles
of magnification and how to use aids that will improve low vision
levels.
The chart on medical eye services in local communities,
shown as an insert at the end of this report, indicates the wide-spread
focus and impact of medical programs sponsored by the
Commission for the Blind.
Rehabilitation Division Provides
Wide Range of Vocational Services
William B. Waters, Deputy Director for Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation accepts a man as he is ; and through various
services, such as counseling, guidance, physical restoration, ad-justment
and vocational training, prepares him for and places
him in employment. The economic value of rehabilitation to the
individual and to the nation can be measured by the dollar stand-ard,
but the social and psychological values gained by the indi-vidual
and society cannot be evaluated. Rehabilitation gives a
new life to the handicapped person who, in turn, makes his con-tribution
to his community, his state and his nation.
As a part of the total rehabilitation of the visually im-paired,
certain services are vital in the process. Because a
sick person cannot work, the first of these services is physical
restoration. Depending on need, the following physical restora-tion
services are usually provided : medical or surgical treatment,
psychiatric referral and treatment, dental treatment, nursing
services, hospitalization, drugs, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, etc.
The Commission for the Blind also assumes responsibility
for job placement of all the handicapped individuals accepted for
vocational rehabilitation services. Emphasis is placed on jobs
created through specialized workshop, concession stand and self-employment
programs. But efforts are also made to place blind
and visually handicapped people in jobs with private industry.
As a part of this placement process, the Commission can provide
eligible clients with diagnostic services, adjustment services,
job training, maintenance, transportation, and initial stocks and
equipment.
Reader services are provided for the blind during the reha-bilitation
process, when this will help lead to a vocational op-portunity.
Interpreter services are also used for the deaf-blind.
Attendant services and business licenses may also be provided,
when they are necessary to determine the rehabilitation potential
of the handicapped individual or to prepare him for gainful
employment.
Finally, the Commission provides follow-up services which
assist the former clients to maintain themselves in their new
situations. These follow-up services are usually furnished as long
as the counselor feels they are needed.
The process through which a visually impaired citizen of
North Carolina is rehabilitated is divided into several phases.
First, an individual is referred to the Commission. These
referrals originate from schools, physicians, Lions Clubs, Depart-ments
of Social Services and interested individuals. Once the
person is identified, a decision is made as to whether he should
undergo a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation at the Evaluation
Unit at Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. or go to the Reha-bilitation
Center in Butner. If the client does not have basic skills
in travel and communication, including skills in braille and typ-ing,
he will be taught these skills at the Rehabilitation Center.
North Carolina Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
The North Carolina Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
was created by legislative enactment in 1945. Basic courses are
taught in the areas of
:
Braille Spelling Sewing
Typing Housekeeping Crafts
Transcription Stand Operation Grooming
Industrial Arts
Travel
Recreation
Cooking
Demands of Daily
Living
Grammar
The Center Program is based on the philosophy that restora-tion
of the blinded individual cannot be effective if a single dis-ability
is being treated alone. A newly blinded individual must
learn to read and write braille, groom himself without the aid of
a mirror, and be able to keep house, cook, and sew without use of
vision. Rehabilitation thus becomes a multiphased restoration of
the "total" individual. The client must be taught to use all his
abilities.
Evaluation Unit
In response to a need for a means of objectively evaluating
the work potential of the multi-handicapped blind, the Reha-bilitation
Division of the North Carolina State Commission for
10
Client at Evaluation Unit take£ Part of program at Rehabilita-tests
to determine manual dex- tion Center is recreation,
terity. m
mivM
Blind people can learn or re- He cannot see them but this
learn how to run their own youth knows how to raise feed-businesses,
er pigs.
11
the Blind and the Raleigh Lions Club established the Raleigh
Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. on Jan. 30, 1967.
The Evaluation Unit serves its clients by providing compre-hensive
diagnostic evaluation from social, vocational, psycholog-ical,
and medical standpoints. The evaluation team is made up of
professional staff members including rehabilitation counselors,
social workers, psychologists, physicians, and evaluators. Per-formance
tests used include tactile discrimination, fine finger
movement, gross arm and hand movement, spatial orientation,
and weight discrimination.
Clients usually spend about two weeks in the Evaluation
Unit. While they are being tested, consultations are held with
counselors, educational personnel, psychologists, and mobility
evaluators. If further evaluation is needed in a more realistic
work setting, the client is referred to the workshop unit of the
Clinic. Here, actual work is used in evaluating clients. This work
is also designed to develop work tolerance and skills.
Workshops Provide Training, Employment
When an employment objective has been determined, a
plan is initiated to provide the necessary job training for the
client. Workshops are one source of training and employment.
Workshops for the blind, historically, were intended to shelter
the visually handicapped from direct contact with the sighted,
competitive world. They were sometimes considered as perma-nent
employment for the visually impaired.
During the 1930s, the concept of employment for the blind
through sheltered workshops came into being in North Carolina.
Five area workshops were originated between 1933 and 1937.
Through the efforts of Lions Clubs in Asheville, Charlotte, Dur-ham,
and Winston-Salem, and interested individuals in Greens-boro,
the cooperative Industries for the Blind was created. In
1967, the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind began operation
not only with a workshop unit but also with the work evaluation
center previously cited in this report.
Lions Industries for the Blind of Western North Carolina in
Asheville is engaged in mattress manufacturing, chair caning,
and various subcontracting activity, including a carton separa-tion
and repacking process for five local soft drink companies.
An average of nine full-time visually handicapped workers and
four trainees are employed.
12
The Charlotte Workshop for the Blind produces commissary
articles, household items, and maintains a sewing operation. Dur-ing
the last biennium, an average of 26 visually impaired per-sons
have been employed.
In Durham, Lions Club Industries for the Blind, Inc. has
expanded four times since 1936. For the last two years an aver-age
of 28 visually impaired employees and six trainees have been
employed in mattress production. The shop has recently estab-lished
a work-activity program in machine sewing.
The largest facility for employment of the visually impaired
in North Carolina is in Greensboro. Industries of the Blind, Inc.
manufactures mops, brooms, ball-point pens, and other commis-sary
items. During the biennium, an average of 103 employees
and 16 trainees, all visually handicapped, held jobs in the plant.
Industries for the Blind in Winston-Salem presently manu-factures
mattresses and engages in various subcontract activities
for both federal and private agencies. For the last two years, an
average of 22 full time visually impaired workers and two
trainees have been employed.
Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. is functioning in a
dual role as a comprehensive evaluation unit and a workshop for
the training of visually impaired clients. Several subcontracts in
the form of miniature ironing boards, pillow-making, fishing lure
manufacturing, etc., have been obtained in order to provide the
necessary work activity for persons being evaluated or trained.
During the last biennium, an average of seven full-time visually
handicapped employees and 30 visually handicapped trainees
have been served through the workshop unit.
Self-Employment
Not all individuals who become visually impaired are satis-fied
with the role of "employee." Through vocational counseling,
some blind individuals are recommended as having the ability
and motivation necessary for self-employment. Once these per-sons
are identified, they are referred to a special counselor who
assumes the responsibility of guiding each individual client to-ward
the establishment of his choice of business enterprise. After
the client is established in his business, the counselor offers post-placement
guidance.
13
During the last biennium, the following types of businesses
have been established
:
Upholstery Shop 1
Record and Magazine Shop 2
Grocery Store 7
Coin Operated Laundromat 3
Sea Food Market 1
Commercial Egg Operation 1
Veal Calf Operation 1
Beef Cattle Operation 1
Feeder Pig Operation 4
Appliance Repair Shop 1
Home Industry
The Home Industry Program, which produces employment
for the homebound blind through the manufacture of marketable
products in the home, provided self-employment for an average
of some 90 persons during the Biennium. These earned $51,843
through sales arranged by the Commission. Some also sold some
of their own products.
A Home and Community Adjustment and Training Pro-gram,
as a pilot project in two counties, was developed in order
to allow rehabilitation counselors to render adjustment and voca-tional
training to clients who are either unable or lack motiva-tion
to leave their homes. Social and psychological development
have been stressed in this one-to-one relationship between the
home and community adjustment counselor and the client. The
following training within the client's home and community set-ting
are provided: mobility, housekeeping, cooking, gardening,
self-care in grooming, hygiene, care of personal belongings,
household mechanics, community resources and institutions, un-derstanding
of blindness, braille, gardening and other vocational
tasks.
This pilot project was initiated in order to determine the
feasibility of a statewide program. A decision on further expan-sion
will be determined after thorough evaluation of the results
of the present activities.
14
Developmental Services for Adolescents
Four other special programs were initiated for providing
developmental rehabilitation services for blind adolescents in
North Carolina. Two of these, the Work-Study Program and the
Multihandicapped Vocational Rehabilitation Program, were
established at the institutions already housing adolescents. The
other two programs, the Adolescent Adjustment Program and
the College Orientation Program are located on the campuses of
the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Western Carolina
University.
The Adolescent Adjustment Program enables clients to
receive rehabilitation services designed to begin learning the
social and educational skills they need to compensate for their
blindness before they reach the age for employment or higher
education. The College Orientation Program is designed to elim-inate
the trauma of the transition from high school to college.
The Work-Study Program, established between The Gov-ernor
Morehead School, which houses educable blind children of
North Carolina, and the Rehabilitation Division of the North
Carolina State Commission for the Blind, utilizes the facilities
of the School, Commission, Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind,
and the local community. It is basically designed to provide actual
work experiences in addition to the present formal classroom
studies for students available at the school. Although the primary
focus is on the multihandicapped blind student, there are pro-visions
for all blind students to participate in the program.
The program gives blind students more experiences in the
world of work and also allows them to eventually move from the
residential school environment to the sighted world of work with-out
the usual traumatic stage of total adjustment. During the
first year of its operation, 1970, 47 students were placed in work
situations on the campus and in the community. Projects were
begun in the areas of transcription of braille, vocational con-sultations,
placement, and office administration. Plans are under
way to enable all students to begin their work experiences when
they reach the age of 14 years. It is anticipated that vocational
placement of students leaving the school will be more successful
in the future than in the past.
The comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program for
the MultiHandicapped was initiated at the Unit for Blind, Multi-handicapped
Children, at Murdoch Center at Butner. This is a
15
cooperative effort by the North Carolina Department of Mental
Health and the North Carolina State Commission for the Blind.
Services provided through the Rehabilitation Division of the
Commission include: pre-vocational orientation, screening and
counseling; screening and evaluation of all clients; vocational
guidance and counseling; vocational evaluation and work condi-tioning;
adjustment services; physical restoration; vocational
training; placement; follow-up services and supervision and
consultation.
Purposes of the Adolescent Adjustment Program are to ac-quaint
visually impaired young people with the rehabilitation
process, and to begin the process of evaluating the clients' edu-cational
and vocational potential. It allows the adolescent to learn
techniques that can be utilized by the visually handicapped
within the community and academic settings. During the last two
summers, 43 students were taught travel instructions, language
arts, housekeeping, cooking, personal grooming, braille, home
economics, typing, and other social and academic skills.
Purposes of the College Orientation Program are to aid
graduating seniors in making the transition from high school
to college, to identify the capable prospective collegiate, and to
help blind students select a reasonable career. The participants
take a course in how to study as well as one regular academic
course. In all, there were a total of 58 students served in this
biennium.
Charts on following pages indicate the statistical scope of
rehabilitation services available to visually impaired citizens of
the State of North Carolina.
16
STATISTICS ON THE 1,392 PERSONS
CLOSED REHABILITATED
July 1, 1968 through June 30, 1970
Sex
Males
Females
Race
White
Negro
Other
Average age when accepted
Average education when accepted
Primary source of support at acceptance
Family
Public Assistance
Earnings
Other
Referral source
Hospitals and clinics
Physicians
Welfare agencies
Self-referred
Educational institutions
Other
Average time receiving rehabilitation
Average cost of case services (does not
include administration)
577 41%
815 59%
811 58%
543 39%
38 3%
43.1 yrs.
7.6 grades
657 47%
181 13%
374 27%
38 3%
340 24%
526 38%
137 10%
193 14%
28 2%
168 12%
18.4 mos.
$1,206.34
Work status at closure
Wage or salaried worker (competitive
labor worker) 637 46%
Sheltered workshop 90 6%
Self-employed (including farmers) 102 7%
Vending stand operators 32 2%
Homemakers 495 36%
Unpaid family workers 36 3%
Average earnings of the 823 persons closed as wage or salaried
workers (does not include homemakers, family workers, or
farmers)
Week before acceptance for services $19.82
Week after closure $53.44
17
CASE SERVICE STATISTICS
Rehabilitation Division
Number of referrals received
Number of referrals processed
Accepted
Rejected
Number of cases closed
Closed rehabilitated
Closed otherwise
Active cases during year 2267 2423
FY FY
1969 1970
1772 1544
1777 1534
911 926
866 608
770 841
661 731
109 110
STATISTICS
Home Industry Program
Total served during the biennium 345
Active cases —July 1, 1968 101
Referrals — July 1, 1968 46
New referrals accepted during the biennium 198
Referrals established in active projects 55
Referrals rejected 137
Active cases closed 49
Total active cases June 30, 1970 107
Total referrals June 30, 1970 52
136 persons earned $51,780.00 during the 1968-70
biennium. (70 on a regular basis — 66 part time).
Percentage increase over total earnings in
previous biennium 30%
STATISTICS
N. C. Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
* Total number of students 180
Males 103
Females 77
Average age 30 Vz
Average education 8
Single 117
Married 32
Other 31
Average enrollment 39
*Total enrollment includes 27 students from out-of-state.
18
20 YEARS OF REHABILITATION
00
J) ,
10 /
10 v /
in
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10
Chart illustrates number of visually impaired persons rehabilitated.
19
Social Service: Financial Aid,
Special Services for the Blind
Sherley Blackburn, Deputy Director for Social Services
The Social Service Division of the N. C. State Commission
for the Blind has two primary responsibilities. One is the admin-istration
of the statewide Aid to the Blind money payments pro-gram.
The other is provision of specialized services which help
blind and visually handicapped people adjust to their individual
problems and become involved or reoriented in the activities of
the world around them.
The Division staff of 77 persons includes 60 social workers
for the blind, of whom 34 are themselves legally blind. The social
workers are assigned to County Departments of Social Services
where, under the local supervision of County Directors of Social
Services, they are responsible for determining initial and con-tinued
eligibility for Aid to the Blind, medical assistance for
blind persons, and providing case work and specialized services
for blind and visually handicapped persons.
Included also are six district field supervisors whose func-tions
cover a variety of duties in the areas of administration,
program supervision and interpretation, public relations and
community organization, as they relate to programs of the Social
Service Division within their respective districts. They also pro-vide
the State Office with information as to the effectiveness
of program operations within the various counties and recom-mendations
for strengthening these operations.
Register of the Blind
The Commission also maintains a register of blind persons
in North Carolina which is considered one of the most efficient
in the country. This register is part of the National Institute of
Health's Model Reporting System, which maintains a national
register of blind persons in the United States. The state register
is maintained in current status by a method of continuous valida-tion.
It serves many useful purposes related to program plan-ning,
services, and research and statistics on the cause of
blindness.
20
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Three specific uses of the register during the past biennium
worthy of mention are
:
1. A brochure regarding facilities for recreation, camping,
and vacations for blind persons at Camp Dogwood, Sher-rill's
Ford, N. C, was mailed to every registrant.
2. Information was provided to the Unit for Blind Multi-handicapped
Children, Butner, regarding the number of
children registered whose blindness resulted from rubella
(German measles) of mothers during pregnancy.
3. The National Society for Prevention of Blindness was pro-vided
with statistical information needed for a study of
legally blind school children.
The chart, Appendix I-D, shows data by state and counties
concerning the 12,532 blind persons included in the register for
the biennial period ending June 30, 1970.
Talking Book Machines
The Commission is the distributor of talking book machines
to persons with visual impairments in North Carolina. The
machines, which operate like record players, are supplied to the
Commission by the Library of Congress. Volunteers from the
Telephone Pioneers repair these machines at 13 area repair
centers. Each center provides the service in an assigned group of
counties, thus providing for state-wide coverage.
Between July 1, 1969 and June 30, 1970, talking book ma-chines
assigned to readers increased from 3,550 to 4,491. The
Telephone Pioneers reported 733 machines repaired and 186 con-verted
from two-speed to three-speed.
Administrative Procedures
Administrative procedures employed by the Social Service
Division are designed to provide adequate and efficient staffing,
to render fair and equitable treatment of all applicants and
recipients, and to test the validity and quality of case actions.
Staff Development: Staff development is provided on a con-tinuing
and progressive basis for all staff responsible for the
development and provision of services. Staff development in-cludes
recruiting new personnel and a program of orientation
for all new employees. Six social workers for the blind with
exceptional experience and expertise are serving as orientation
22
specialists. Each orientation specialist, with the assistance of
the supervisor of staff development and the area field representa-tive,
presents a training program to each new employee. Each
new employee completes this training program satisfactorily
before being placed in his county of responsibility.
In-service training is provided on a continuing basis through
annual state-wide agency meetings, semi-annual staff develop-ment
sessions for the entire Social Service Division and quarterly
district meetings involving all social work personnel in each of
the six districts.
Educational leave was approved for two employees for grad-uate
study during 1968-1970 and both individuals completed all
requirements for the Master of Social Work degree. Educational
leave was also granted to two other staff members for short term
study designed to increase their professional competence.
Fair Hearings: State and federal laws provide that any
applicant for or recipient of Aid to the Blind may appeal to the
State Commission for the Blind requesting a hearing if he is
dissatisfied with any action taken. This would include a delay
in taking action on his application or request regarding payment,
or if, in his opinion, discriminatory practices have influenced
the action taken or not taken. The State agency upon receipt of
such an appeal must arrange for a fair hearing. If the appellant
is dissatisfied with the final agency decision, he may exercise his
right to request a judicial review of the decision. The same pro-visions
for a fair hearing and judicial review cover both appli-cants
and recipients of medical assistance. (See Appendix I-C)
Quality Control: The Quality Control System is an admin-istrative
procedure designed primarily to test the validity and
quality of case actions made at the county level regarding initial
and continued eligibility of Aid to the Blind applicants and
recipients.
On July 1, 1968, the system was expanded to include review
of compliance with the Civil Rights Act as it related to local
methods of investigation, application of policies and/or case
actions. On January 1, 1970, it was further expanded to provide
for review of initial and continued eligibility of medically indi-gent
blind persons for medical assistance.
Case actions are selected for quality control by using a
formal sampling method. Case actions reviewed include approval
or denial of payment for applicants, continuation, revision, or
23
termination of payment. The method of review includes a factual
validation of all factors of eligibility, a determination of the
accuracy of policy application to the individual situation, and the
correctness of the action based on facts secured. The results of
the reviews provide information regarding policies and proce-dures
which may need to be clarified by revision or by super-visory
interpretation.
Aid to the Blind: The state plan for Aid to the Blind money
payments in North Carolina conforms to the requirements of
Title XIV of the Social Security Act. The non-federal share of
payments made to needy blind persons is met by the state and
counties on a 50/50 basis.
In determining need and the amount of payments to individ-uals,
consideration must be given to all income and resources
the individual may have, and how much is readily available for
current use in meeting his immediate needs. Income exempt from
consideration as a resource includes the first $85.00, plus one-half
of income in excess of $85.00, which is earned by the blind recip-ient.
Another exemption, in compliance with a 1969 Social Secu-rity
amendment effective April 1, 1970, provides for disregard-ing
as a resource an amount not to exceed $4.00 from the amount
of Old Age Survivors Disability Health Insurance (OASDHI)
benefit received by a person who is both an Aid to the Blind
recipient and an OASDHI beneficiary.
Changes implemented during the biennium include the 10
per cent increase in budget requirements approved by the 1969
legislature. This resulted in a $6.30 increase in the amount allow-able
for an individual Aid to the Blind budget. Another change,
effective with the Jan. 1, 1970 implementation of the Title XIX
legislation which removed the costs of nursing home and other
medical services from individual Aid to the Blind budgets, caused
a decrease in the average statewide money payment to Aid to
the Blind recipients, as well as a reduction in the number of
recipients.
Following a mandate from the Department of Health, Edu-cation
and Welfare a "simplified method" of determining eligi-bility
for Aid to the Blind was implemented on a state-wide level
November 1, 1969. This method provides for use of a question-naire
which the applicant or recipient completes and returns to
the County Department of Social Services. It covers all the infor-mation
previously secured through an interview with the social
24
Social worker for the blind provides mobility training.
25
worker for the blind. Among the advantages of the simplified
method are
:
1. Responsibility for providing correct eligibility information
is placed on the individual rather than the social worker for
the blind.
2. The time required for completing an application or a rede-termination
of eligibility is reduced, thus allowing addi-tional
time for the social worker for the blind to provide
other services to visually handicapped persons.
The simplified method is designed to make the determination of
eligibility more simple, efficient, and economical. It is used in
determining eligibility of needy blind persons for money pay-ments,
and medically indigent blind persons for medical services
under the State Title XIX plan.
Medical Assistance: The medical assistance program under
Title XIX of the Social Security Act is administered by the
State Department of Social Services. Under this program, all
Aid to the Blind recipients are eligible for medical services
included in the State Plan. Also eligible are medically indigent
blind persons whose income and resources do not exceed the
standard prescribed in the State Plan for Medical Assistance,
and who meet the nonfinancial eligibility requirements for an
Aid to the Blind payment. (It should be noted that the require-ment
regarding soliciting alms does not apply.) Determining
initial and continuing eligibility for medical services for blind
persons is the responsibility of the State Commission for the
Blind.
Since many medical services and medically related services
are not included in the State Plan under Title XIX, provision is
made in the Aid to the Blind budget criteria to include, as needed
by an individual, the cost of additional medical services or related
services in the recipient's Aid to the Blind money payment.
Provisions are made also for certification of eligibility for
medical eye care for medically indigent persons who are eligible
for neither Aid to the Blind, nor medical assistance. Determina-tion
of eligibility, according to criteria provided by the Commis-sion
for the Blind, is the responsibility of the County Depart-ments
of Social Services. In many counties, it is a function of
the social worker for the blind.
Services Program: Services provided through the Social
Service Division by social workers for the blind, are available
26
Social workers help blind people
learn to enjoy special resources
such as games.
Social workers also teach cli-ents
how to write letters, keep
business records.
Social workers have enjoyed taking large groups of visually
handicapped people for vacations at Lion-sponsored Camp
Dogwood.
27
to any visually handicapped person in North Carolina who
desires them. The Service Program includes specialized services
to assist the blind person in personal adjustment to blindness,
his family in adjustment to a blind member and his adjustment
to and participation in affairs of the sighted community. The
program also includes a broad scope of case work services, both
informational and referral services.
During the past biennium, recreational services have been
expanded, particularly in the area of planned trips in groups.
Social workers for the blind have arranged for several trips by
car and bus to Camp Dogwood and to the Mary Biddle Duke Art
Gallery in the State Museum. Transportation for these trips was
provided by local volunteers. In addition to the recreational ac-tivities,
the hundreds of participating blind persons found the
experience to be educational, especially the guided tours of the
Art Gallery and other state buildings. Parties, banquets and
other entertainment activities at local levels have continued, and
have spread to several new locations through cooperation of
various local groups.
Social workers for the blind have involved more local groups
in volunteer services for blind persons. Among these is a church
youth group who, with guidance from their leader and the social
worker, mend dangerous steps to a house, mend fences, mow
yards, trim hedges, read to and write letters for blind persons
and perform a number of other needed services.
A new service, initiated as a pilot project in five counties is
"group work." Each group is composed of several blind persons.
The primary purpose is to re-involve the members in the life
about them. The groups hold regular meetings. The social work-ers
for the blind provide counsel and guidance in planning the
meetings, but they gradually decrease participation as mem-bers
of the group are able to assume more responsibility for
leadership.
Appendices I-A, I-B, I-C, I-D at the end of this report indi-cate
the overall scope of operations for the Social Service Divi-sion
of the N. C. State Commission for the Blind.
28
Financial Reports
Jerry M. Perry, Deputy Director for Business Affairs
Accounts of financial transactions of the North Carolina
State Commission for the Blind during the 1968-1970 biennium
are presented here in two sections. The first listing is the ex-penditures
in all programs except the Bureau of Employment
Division. The second listing is Bureau of Employment profit and
loss statements for the years 1968-69 and 1969-70.
General Expenditures
I. ADMINISTRATION
Purposes and/ or Objects
101 Salary — Director
102 Salary and Wages
111 Supplies and Materials
115 Moving Expense
121 Postage, Telephone and Telegraph
122 Travel Expense
123 Printing and Binding
124 Motor Vehicle Operation
125 Occupancy and Office Services
126 Repairs and Alterations
127 Contractual Services
*131 Retirement Contributions
*132 Social Security Contributions
133 Intermediary Services
141 Equipment
161 General Expense
162 Rental of Equipment
164 Office Rent
165 Expense of Commission
118 Student Work Program
TOTAL
II. GENERAL MEDICAL
251 Examinations
252 Treatment
253 Prosthetic Appliances
254 Hospitalization
TOTAL
Expenditures Expenditures
1968-69 1969-70
$ 14,874.96 $ 16,800.00
227,753.72 264,283.05
14,484.34 16,272.15
336.35 .00
30,984,78 29,092.31
16,712.98 21,416.45
3,155.00 3,403.68
288.94 465.67
12,586.05 10,938.28
2,191.05 2,474.25
20,136.85 19,813.97
62,044.98 24,872.57
36,420.37 12,531.17
2,857.50 1,867.80
9,921.98 14,280.54
650.36 837.78
7,377.79 6,698.57
57,598.45 60,706.67
1,995.92 3,007.37
1,129.85 1,191.97
$ 523,502.22 $ 510,954.25
$ 243,878.40 $ 303,665.70
182,596.87 145,911.90
320,376.98 374,489.73
202,781.14 139,793.39
$ 949,633.39 $ 963,860.72
29
III. AID TO THE BLIND ADMINISTRATION
302 Salaries — AB staff $ 104,548.65 $ 138,452.00
322 Travel Expense 11,147.87 13,092.76
328 Direct Federal Aid to Counties 15,319.00 44,785.34
329 County Equalization Fund 12,000.00 12,000.00
330 Payments to Needy Blind 4,472,481.74 4,467,415.80
331 Retirement Contribution .00 12,391.44
332 Social Security Contribution .00 5,634.51
351 Examinations .00 7,830.00
352 Treatment .00 53,658.24
354 Hospitalization 255,742.48 181,018.08
363 Data Processing 9,898.49 9,481.95
366 Staff Development and Training 3,400.00 970.92
TOTAL $4,884,538.23 $4,946,731.04
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
402 Salaries and Wages $ 400,527.39 $ 454,928.40
422 Travel — Social Workers 84,076.04 86,329.76
431 Retirement Contributions 40,716.11
432 Social Security Contributions 21,530.73
TOTAL $ 484,603.43 $ 603,505.00
IV. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
CASE SERVICES
502 Salaries
522 Travel
527 Contractual Consultation
531 Retirement Contributions
532 Social Security Contributions
542 Client Equipment
543 Workshop Equipment
551 Examinations
552 Treatment
553 Prosthetic Appliances
554 Hospitalization
555 Training and Maintenance
556 Extended Evaluation
557 Social Security Trust Fund
566 Staff Development and Training
TOTAL CASE SERVICES
$ 353,518.12
45,985.33
39,944.03
11,502.24
176,425.00
42,718.16
181,153.15
29,969.92
194,892.15
391,789.65
58,897.61
83,926.62
5,177.23
$1,615,899.21
$ 417,897.75
51,622.40
35,064.95
37,266.25
19,094.81
18,800.03
90,414.89
40,544.70
155,329.33
33,499.19
154,728.84
438,448.70
78,190.41
73,873.49
7,520.06
$1,652,295.80
BUREAU OF EMPLOYMENT
602 Salaries — Bureau
622 Travel
631 Retirement Contributions
632 Social Security Contributions
642 Initial Stand Expense
TOTAL BUREAU OF
EMPLOYMENT
69,547.94
4,312.65
.00
104,990.27
9,999.16
9,396.61
4,945.75
20,875.46
$ 73,860.59 $ 150,207.25
30
REHABILITATION CENTER — BUTNER
702 Salaries ? 206,270.11 $ 247,841.67
711 Supplies and Materials 33,358.36 33,999.82
712 Drugs and Medical Supplies 1,374.25 1,021.18
721 Postage, Telephone and Telegraph 1,669.62 1,470.05
722 Travel Expense 1,161.96 1,217.98
723 Printing and Binding 63.06 74.17
724 Motor Vehicle Operation 1,160.24 1,416.30
725 Occupancy Services 25,379.11 22,995.25
726 Repairs and Alterations 23,821.81 23,948.39
731 Retirement Contributions 22,008.98
732 Social Security Contributions 11,635.81
741 Equipment 8,794.76 18,902.44
761 General Expense 26.00 45 -50
TOTAL REHABILITATION
CENTER $ 303,079.28 $ 386,577.54
ADJUSTMENT STUDY
802 Salaries $ -00 $ 2,897.07
811 Supplies -00 131-14
821 Postage, Telephone and Telegraph .00 350.00
822 Travel -00 565 -43
827 Contractual Services -00 11,901.81
831 Retirement Contributions -00 278.99
832 Social Security Contributions .00 149.60
841 Equipment -00 2,743.92
863 Data Processing -00 24.00
869 Interviewee Fees -°0
TOTAL ADJUSTMENT STUDY .00 $ 19,041.96
HOME COMMUNITY PROGRAM
902 Salaries $ -00 $ 5,696.06
911 Supplies -00 534.19
922 Travel -00 647.36
931 Retirement Contributions -00 490.13
932 Social Security Contributions .00 262.85
941 Equipment -0° 2,277.66
TOTAL HOME COMMUNITY $ .00 $ 9,908.25
MURDOCH MULTIHANDICAPPED PROGRAM
1002 Salaries $ -00 $ 3,612.00
1011 Supplies and Testing Materials -00 55.77
1021 Postage, Telephone and Telegraph -00 200.00
1022 Travel -0° 53>"
1027 Contractual Services -00 400.00
1031 Retirement Contributions -00 323.27
1032 Social Security Contributions -00 173.38
1041 Equipment -00 1,848.23
1058 Case Service Expense -00 -00
TOTAL MURDOCH
MULTIHANDICAPPED $ -00 $ 6,666.64
31
.00 $ 2,495.54
.00 107.63
.00 127.00
.00 443.85
.00 200.00
.00 223.35
.00 119.78
.00 707.78
GOVERNOR MOREHEAD WORK STUDY PROGRAM
1102 Salaries $
1111 Supplies and Materials
1121 Postage, Telephone and Telegraph
1122 Travel
1127 Contractual Services
1131 Retirement Contributions
1132 Social Security Contributions
1141 Equipment
TOTAL GOVERNOR MOREHEAD WORK
STUDY PROGRAM $ .00 $ 4,424.93
COGNITIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
1227 Contractual Services $ .00 $ 7,858.92
TOTAL COGNITIVE TRAINING
PROGRAM $ .00 $ 7,858.92
TOTAL VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
PROGRAM $1,615,899.21 $2,236,981.29
V. RESERVES AND TRANSFERS
1771 Merit Salary Increments $ .00 $ .00
1772 Retirement Contribution Reserve .00 .00
1773 Social Security Contributions Reserve .00 .00
1774 Restricted Reserve Eye Care .00 .00
TOTAL RESERVES AND
TRANSFERS $ .00 $ .00
TOTAL REQUIREMENTS $8,835,116.35 $9,262,032.30
LESS: Receipts $6,792,079.65 $7,247,722.34
TOTAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS $2,043,036.70 $2,014,309.96
NOTE: *
SOCIAL SECURITY AND RETIREMENT
For Fiscal Year 1968-69 the Commission for the Blind only budg-eted
for and paid the Receipts Supported portion of Social Security
Contributions and Retirement Contributions. The state matching was
paid from a special code by the state. For Fiscal Year 1969-70 the
Commission budgeted for and paid both Receipts Supported and State
Supported Social Security Contributions and Retirement Contribu-tions.
There was an increase in the Retirement Contributions from
7.62% in 1968-69 to 8.95% in 1969-70 and an increase in Social Secu-rity
Contributions from 4.4% in 1968-69 to 4.8% in 1969-70.
32
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How You Can Find Out About
Services for Tar Heel Blind
WRITE OR CALL:
Office Manager— Asheville District
Room 310 Gennett Building
Asheville, N. C. 28801 (Tel. 704-253-8702)
Office Manager— Charlotte District
Room 201 Cole Building
Charlotte, N. C. 28204 (Tel. 704-334-4781)
Office Manager— Greensboro District
206 Guilford Building
Greensboro, N. C. 27401 (Tel. 919-274-6321)
Office Manager— Greenville District
1201 E. Evans Street
Greenville, N. C. 27401 (Tel. 919-752-2164)
Office Manager— Raleigh District
P. O. Box 2658
Raleigh, N. C. 27602 (Tel. 919-829-4231)
Office Manager—Wilmington District
601 Carolina Power & Light Building
Wilmington, N. C. 28i403 (Tel. 919-763-6241)
Office Manager—Winston-Salem District
631 First Union National Bank Building
Winston-Salem, N. C. 27101 (Tel. 886-725-7538)
YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE STATE OFFICE:
N. C. State Commission for the Blind
Box 2658, 410 N. Boylan Ave.
Raleigh, N. C. 27602
W. E. Early, Executive Director
Faye B. Humphries, Public Information Officer
Jerry M. Perry, Deputy Director for Business Affairs
Michael Schenck, III, Deputy Director for the
Bureau of Employment
Lucy O. Griffin, Deputy Director for Medical Services
Sherley Blackburn, Deputy Director for Social Services
William B. Waters, Deputy Director for Rehabilitation Services
(Note: Administrative officers listed as of January 1, 1971. If personnel
changes occur, inquiries will be forwarded to the appropriate offices.)
36
Appendix I-A
WHAT IS AID TO THE BLIND?
Aid to the Blind is a money payment made by the North Carolina State
Commission for the Blind to persons who meet the eligibility requirements.
The money used for this program comes from federal, state, and county
taxes.
WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO APPLY?
Any needy person who believes himself to be blind or who has such poor
vision that he cannot perform as a sighted person.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Any person who:
(1) Is legally blind.
(2) Is in need because his income will not sufficiently provide for items
such as food, clothing, shelter and other necessities.
(3) Is not receiving financial assistance or Medicaid through other public
assistance programs.
(4) Is living in North Carolina.
(5) Is not a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental diseases.
(6) Is not a patient in a medical institution as a result of having tuber-culosis
or a psychosis.
(7) Is not publicly soliciting alms.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF AN APPLICANT
OR RECIPIENT?
Any person may:
(1) Complete an application if he thinks he is eligible.
(2) Expect all personal information to be kept in confidence.
(3) Expect to receive Aid to the Blind within 30 days if he is found
eligible.
(4) Spend his check as he thinks best to meet his needs.
(5) Appeal to the State Commission for the Blind if he feels that he has
been treated unfairly or discriminated against. Forms used to request
a hearing may be obtained from the County Department of Social
Services as well as help, if it is desired, to complete the forms.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES?
Any person may expect:
(1) To be provided the opportunity to apply for assistance.
37
(2) To have staff members available to provide information and help
when requested.
(3) His application to be processed promptly.
(4) To have his case reviewed periodically in order to determine con-tinuing
needs and eligibility.
(5) Assistance in securing other services and resources.
WHERE DOES ONE APPLY?
Application must be made to the Department of Social Services in the
county in which the applicant is living.
DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED
Each application is carefully considered in order to determine a person's
needs and what resources he has available to meet these needs. Resources
include such items as: income, savings, investments, property, and benefits
received from Social Security, retirement, etc. When a person's income is
less than his total budget allowance and he meets the eligibility require-ments
he should be eligible for assistance.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF
AN APPLICANT OR RECIPIENT?
(1) To provide information to determine if he is eligible.
(2) To tell his social worker about any change in his situation, such as:
Transfer of property; additional income from wages or benefits such
as social security, retirement, etc.
(3) To tell his social worker when he moves, letting the worker know
his new address and any other changes in the household.
FRAUDULENT ACTS MADE MISDEMEANOR
State law makes it unlawful for a person to willfully make false state-ments
or fail to report changes in his situation in an effort to receive or
continue receiving assistance. It is stated that such a person shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, or plea of guilty, at the court's dis-cretion,
be fined, or imprisoned, or both.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Each Aid to the Blind recipient is eligible for medical care under the medi-caid
program. Medical services are also available to other blind persons
who meet the eligibility requirements. Applications for medical assistance
should be made at the County Department of Social Services.
SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
Social services for blind and visually handicapped persons include general
casework services, group work services, specialized services adapted to the
particular needs of blind persons, and referral services.
Further information regarding services may be secured from social work-ers
for the blind located in County Departments of Social Services.
38
NONDISCRIMINATION
Any person applying for or receiving assistance or service through the Aid
to the Blind program is protected against discrimination because of race,
color, or national origin.
The Commission for the Blind will not directly or through other arrange-ments
:
(1) Deny aid, care, services or benefits.
(2) Practice segregation or separate treatment.
(3) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any advantage
or privilege enjoyed by others.
(4) Treat any person differently than others in regard to the determina-tion
of eligibility or other conditions which must be met.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
Any person who feels he has been discriminated against on the basis of
race, color or national origin may make a written complaint to the County
Director of Social Services; an investigation will be made within 30 days.
If the matter cannot be settled by informal means, the person may file a
written request for a formal hearing by the State Commission for the Blind.
A complaint may also be made directly to the Secretary of Health, Educa-tion,
and Welfare, Washington, D. C.
Appendix I-B
An Analysis Of Aid To The Blind
Acceptances — Rejections — Terminations
1. Number of persons receiving AB payments June 30, 1968 4,786
2. Number of applications accepted July 1, 1968-June 30, 1970 1,585
3. Total number of persons receiving AB July 1, 1968-June 30, 1970 6,471
4. Number of cases closed July 1, 1968-June 30, 1970 1,813
Reasons for closing:
a. Death 754
b. Changes in income/ persons in home 107
c. Support from persons outside of home 42
d. Receipt or increase in OASDHI 181
e. Receipt or increase in other federal benefits 21
f. Receipt or increase in state/ local benefits 1
g. Receipt or increase of non-governmental benefits 3
h. Other changes in income/ resources 103
i. Decrease in requirements 178
39
j. Transferred to other public assistance 17
k. Rehabilitation training allowance meets need 3
1. Visual restoration 98
m. Institutionalized 114
n. Loss of residence 49
o. Change in law or agency policies 35
p. Soliciting alms 4
q. Clients request 45
r. Refused to comply with policy 33
s. Other 25
5. Number of AB recipients June 30, 1970 4,451
6. Number of AB applications rejected July 1, 1968-June 30, 1970 659
Reasons for rejections:
a. Ineligible on basis of vision 812
b. Ineligible on basis of residence 2
c. Other resources 327
d. Inmate of public institution 4
e. Other 144
Appendix I-C
FAIR HEARINGS
July 1, 1968 —June 30, 1970
Hearing Requests Received During Period 36
Disposed of During Period 34
Pending at End of Period _ 2
Method of Disposition and Outcome
A. By Hearing Decision 22
(1) In favor of claimant 2
(2) Not in favor of claimant 20
B. By other means 12
(1) Withdrawn prior to Hearing 11
(2) Withdrawn after Hearing at request of
appellant and without Board action 1
Board decisions reversed after appellant advised of decision 2
40
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Appendix II
Information on the insert, opposite this page, reflects ac-tivity
of the Medical Services Division, N. C. State Commission
for the Blind, in individual counties throughout the state of North
Carolina during the biennium from July 1, 1968 to June 30, 1970.
56
STATE LIBRARY Oh NOHIH CAROLINA
3 309100747 1824
HEADQUARTER
WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBR
RALEIGH, N. C.
X