CHAP. 369.—An ACT to create the Virginia commission for the blind, to define
its duties, and to make appropriation for its maintenance. {H B 117]

Approved March 23, 1922.

Whereas, it appears from recent investigation that the State of
Virginia now makes no provision for the vocational and educational
training of its adult blind citizens; and

Whereas, said investigation also shows that a large majority of
the blind of the State have lost their eyesight after reaching an
age which debars them from admission to the schools for the deaf
and the blind in the State, and cannot, therefore, receive any benefit
from said schools; and

Whereas, many of them, on account of their affliction, are unable
to support themselves, and are a charge on their families and com-
munities ; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That there
be created a State board, to be known as the Virginia commission
for the blind, consisting of five members, to be appointed by the
governor. The first appointments hereunder to be made as soon as
may be after this act takes effect, and the governor shall designate
two of the appointees to serve two years from the date of their
appointment, and three for a period of four years from their ap-
pointment. All appointees hereunder shall hold office until their suc-
cessors are appointed and qualify.

2. That said commission shall elect one of its members as chair-
man, who shall preside at its meetings, and shall have power to call
meetings when he deems it advisable. The commission may appoint
necessary officers and agents, and fix their compensation within the
limits of the annual appropriation, but no person so appointed shall
be a member of the commission. The commission may make its own
by-laws.

3. That the commission shall act as a bureau of information and
industrial aid, the object of which shall be to assist the blind in find-
ing employment, and to teach them industries which may be followed
in their homes. =

4. That the commission shall prepare and maintain a complete
register of the blind in the State, which shall describe the condition,
cause of blindness, capacity for educational and industrial training
of each, and such other facts as the commission deems of value.

5. That the commission shall make inquiries concerning the cause
of blindness, ascertain what portion of said cases are preventable, and
co-operate with the State board of health in the adoption and enforce-
ment of proper preventive measures.

6. That the commission is authorized to receive and use for the
purposes enumerated in this act, or any of them, donations and be-
quests, and is authorized to expend such donations and bequests in
such manner as it may deem proper within the limitations imposed
by the donors thereof.

7. That the commission may establish, equip and maintain schools
for industrial training and workshops for the employment of suitable
blind persons, pay the employees suitable wages, and devise means
for the sale and distribution of the products thereof; provided, that
any expenditures made under this section shall not exceed the annual
appropriation, or the amount received by way of bequest or donation
during any one year; and provided further, that no part of the funds
appropriated by the State shall be used for solely charitable pur-
poses, the object and purpose of this act being to encourage capable
blind persons in the pursuit of useful labor, and to provide for the
prevention and cure of blindness.

8. That in furtherance of the purposes of this act, the commis-
sion shall have authority to use any receipts or earnings that accrue
from the operation of industrial schools and workshops as provided
in this act, but a detailed statement of receipts or earnings and ex-
penditures shall be carefully kept, and the commission shall make an
annual report to the governor of its proceedings and operations of
each fiscal year. Such report shall also present a concise review of
the work of the commission for the preceding year with such sug-
gestions and recommendations for improving the condition of the
blind as may be expedient. |

9. That the members of the commission shall receive no com-
pensation for their services, but their traveling and other necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

10. For the purpose of paying the necessary expenses of said
commission, and to carry out the provisions of this act, the sum of
ten thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is
hereby appropriated annually out of any monies in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated, to be paid by the treasurer of Virginia on
the warrants of the auditor of public accounts, issued upon the vouch-
ers of the chairman of said commission, countersigned by its secretary.