VOCATIONAL HELP FOR CRIPPLES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 13

VOCATIONAL HELP FOR CRIPPLES

Much Assistance Needed “MAJOR PART OF N.Z. SOCIETY’S WORK’’ A plea to all sections of the community to assist the New Zealand Crippled Children Society in its efforts to place crippled children in useful employment was made by Mr. Malcolm Eraser, C.M.G., of the New Zealand executive, at the first annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the society last night. Mr. Fraser emphasised vocational training as being one of the most useful activities the society’s branches could undertake. Mr. Fraser also assured members of the support and assistance they could expect from tlie Government ; a deputation from the executive had recently been received by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Minister of Health. Hon. P. Fraser. "The Government and the Education Department’s organisation reach practically all children—there are the public schools, the correspondence classes, as well as tuition at the children’s wards in the principal hospitals,” said Mr. Fraser. “The society’s job is to supplement that work and see. that no crippled child is neglected in the matter of education. The Auckland branch has discovered cases in its district who for various reasons were not being reached by these agencies, and they have arranged for tutors in three cases. The New Zealand executive made representations to the Minister in the matter, and he is investigating the position. Vocational Guidance. "It; is when, having done everything possible in the matter of physical treatment, we have educated the cripple to a reasonably satisfactory standard, that we approach the most difficult and puzzling part of our work—vocational training and employment. The. time has arrived when he wants to take his place in our system of economy, in the industrial or commercial world. Almost invariably wherever he turns ho finds a closed door. This is when he needs the assistance of the society most, and the society must fight his battles with him. Insofar as we do so, just so far will the society justify its existence. Because this is the most difficult part of the problem, it will also turn out to be the major part of the society’s work. It is not possible at this stage to make suggestions for any uniformity. A cripple consciousness must be created and all sections of tlie community must help. Tlie Government, local bodies and all large employers, must be made to feel their responsibility to engage a percentage of crijjples in avenues where they can be suitably and economically employed. Each society will have to develop its own technique and gain its own experience in tlie local opportunities available to it. It can do so in the knowledge that we have been assured at a recent deputation to the Prime Minister of the fullest support in our work.”