16
REHABILITATION
(Continued from Page 6)
Vocational Rehabilitation. Cases are al
so located by the State Board of Health,
the Welfare Commission, the US Em
ployment Service, Civil Service Boards,
crippled children’s agencies, the Mari
time Commission, hospitals, doctors and
educators.
Each prospective trainee g given a
medical examination to determine his
or her exact physical condition, If the
person can be returned to a normal di
more nearly normal conditioh, treat
ment is given before any vocational
training is attempted, thus applying the
rehabilitation axiom unever train around
a disability that can be remedied.”
Vocational counseling, and aptitude
tests when necessary, help to guide to
ward a profitable and agreeable voca
tion. When necessary, physical and oc
cupational therapy and psychiatric
treatment are given as part of thè med
ical care.
Vocational training is arranged and
paid for by the state agency. This
training is purchased oni the open
market as the department does not have
vocational schools. Trainees are,enrolled
on an apprentice basis in commercial
industries or as students in established
schools. The physical examination,
counseling, training and placement are
available at no cost to all disabled;
medical t r e a t m e n t , transportation,
maintenance, tools and equipment are
provided without cost if well-establish
ed economic need exists.
The variety of disabilities which are
handled is unlimited—disabilities from
accidents (industrial and otherwise),
from diseases, epilepsy, blindness or
mental condition.
The rehabilitation program was in
augurated on June 6, 1920 when Presi
dent Wilson signed the first Vocational
Rehabilitation Act. Prior to 1943,
210,000 persons were enabled to return
to employment. The average yearly
earnings of these individuals rose from
$110 .before rehabilitation to $1,228. A
series of amendments enacted in 1943
extended the previously limited services
to the mentally handicapped, the blind
and to war veterans who have returned
to civilian life.
This work is financed by the co-op-
S at*ve contributions of the state and
federal governments. The federal gov
ernment pays for the entire cost of
administration. The state legislature
makes an appropriation for ease costs,
which amount is matched with federal
funds. The 1943 Oregon legislature
appropriated $13,000 for each of the
next two years. During the last fiscal
year $101,000 was expended for this
work. The federal government paid
$31,000 for administration costs; the
state legislature appropriated $9,600;
(Continued on Page 17)
E. C. HALL CO.
Contractors in Oregon 25 Years
Members
Grading
Rock Crushing
Rte- 6, Box 630
AGC
Phone c h iu ^