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Handicaps Of Persons Employed

A check of the last payroll period of 1944, indicated that of those employed at that time 4% were blind or had defective vision, 7% were deaf, hard of hearing, or had speech defects. Records further indicate that 35% were orthopedically disabled or had organic or health disabilities, 24% were employed because of age or infirmity, 15% were mentally, emotionally, or socially handicapped, and 15% were non-handicapped. These percentages indicate primary handicaps only.

In addition to the basic program of employment, training and rehabilitation for the handicapped. Goodwill Industries in 20 cities conduct religious and social service activities to help meet unmet needs in the communities in which they are located.

The statement of Purposes and Policies for the organization, operation, service, and development of Goodwill Industries, originally adopted in 1936, was revised in April of 1944. Copies are available, upon request, to any interested persons. This statement was adopted in democratic fashion by the executives of local organizations who have the responsibility of putting them into effect in their own enterprises. They are putting them into effect as rapidly as the necessary resources can be secured and other conditions permit.

Standards Essential To Progress

The statement of Purposes and Policies discusses purpose, defines terms, covers matters such as proper organization, incorporation, directing board, leadership qualifications; areas, fields, program, and means of service. It also discusses standards of operation, service and quality of work; buildings, equipment, working conditions, wages, hours, insurance; records; the use of earned operating income, handling of funds, depreciation reserves, credit, deficits, community relations, and trade practices.

Goodwill Industries are not relief agencies. Their service is definitely one of self-help. There is no tinge of so-called charity attached to a person served by them. It is expected that each individual served will make the maximum contribution of effort and energy toward his own self-development and the welfare of the total group of which he is a part during the time he is at Goodwill Industries.

Training. . .for Industry and Life

LIFE is a whole. The primary interest of Goodwill Industries is that handicapped and disabled persons shall have a full and abundant and useful life. There are three general approaches to the rehabilitation of the disabled.

First, the medical or physical, in which the end result is to help the rehabilitants to attain the fullest possible physical reconditioning and restoration, so that they may be physically able to be usefully employed and be socially acceptable. The second is the academic training in which the rehabilitants are given academic and vocational training in accordance with their aptitudes, and which training is designed to prepare them to make a living and be ready for their first job. The third is that of rather immediate employment training and employment which results in a sense of independence on the part of the rehabilitants, and leads as quickly as possible into permanent productive employment and integration into community life.

All Rehabilitation Approaches Essential

All three are essential to the full rehabilitation of most handicapped individuals. The third approach is that of Goodwill Industries. As a case working agency in the field of rehabilitation, they bring to the persons they serve community resources which are essential to their full rehabilitation. Through their own activities, they provide rehabilitants with employment, training, and other rehabilitation services in accordance with their needs and abilities during the period of rehabilitation. Goodwill Industries do also provide more permanent employment for the severely disabled who find difficulty in securing commercial employment.

Service for the disabled is receiving attention now as never before in history. This is due to the dramatic appeal of the large number of battle casualties, and to the great increase in industrial accidents because of the speed-up occasioned by the war effort. It is further due to the manpower shortage, which has necessitated the employment of large numbers of persons formerly rejected because of physical disabilities. Finally, it is due to an enlightened public opinion which has begun to recognize that physical limitations need not be vocational or social limitations.

Government Assistance Greater

Federal and State Governments, through the Public Law No. 113, are now able to provide rehabilitation services for civilian handicapped beyond any which were possible under former Rehabilitation Acts. The Veterans Administration, through Public Law No. 16, is able to provide rehabilitation services for honorably discharged veterans to the extent that all who do not require permanent institutional care may be equipped for employment and other opportunities in accordance with their abilities.