"WE HELP THE BLIND HELP THEMSELVES"

THIS MOTTO conveys the idea of the primary goal for which the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind, a private, philanthropic organization was founded in June 1919 at Staunton. Charter members consisted chiefly of the alumni of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, their relatives and friends.

Valuable advice and assistance in planning and perfecting the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind and in the drafting of its original constitution and by-laws was given to Mr. L. L. Watts an alumnus of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind by Mr. H. R. Latimer, Baltimore, who was then President of the American Association of Workers for the Blind.

One of the first fruits of the efforts of the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind was a bill passed by the Virginia Legislature March 20, 1920, providing for a temporary Commission to study the condition of blind persons in Virginia and to make recommendations to the General Assembly for promotion of the interests of the blind. Mr. Watts was one of three members of this Commission appointed by Governor Westmoreland Davis. Through the recommendations of this Commission grew the establishment of the state agency, the Virginia Commission for the Blind, now known as the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. The Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind furnished the land and helped to build and equip the new building at 3003 Parkwood Avenue for the Commission in 1941.

In 1935 the Association provided funds for the employment of an ophthalmologist and nurse by the state agency.

Employment of blind persons has always been a major factor in the promotion of their best interests. In 1925 The Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind established the Virginia Workshop for the Blind in Charlottesville. Since 1936 the Workshop has been one of the functions of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, having been donated to the state agency by The Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind.

In 1937 The Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind purchased equipment needed by blind persons to set up vending stands in public buildings.

The Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind subsidized the state agency?s Sight-Saving classes for two years.

In 1941 the Association purchased office and warehouse space adjacent to the Commission on Parkwood Avenue.

Through the years the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind has cooperated with the state agency in rehabilitation, education, legislation, recreation and financially - all with the best interests of the blind in mind.

We promote the best interests of the blind along any and all lines. We try to fill as many of the needs of blind persons as our funds will permit.

VaAssocWorkersBlind
Email: Vwblind@cs.com