209.010. Division of family services to aid blind persons.

Division of family services to aid blind persons.

209.010. The duties of the division of family services shallbe to prepare and maintain a complete register of the blindpersons within this state and to collate information concerningtheir physical condition, cause of blindness and such additionalinformation as may be useful to the division in the performanceof its other duties as herein enumerated, and to investigate andreport to the general assembly from time to time the condition ofthe blind within this state, with its recommendations concerningthe best method of relief for the blind; to adopt such measuresas the division may deem expedient for the prevention and cure ofblindness; to establish and maintain at such places within thisstate as the division may deem expedient shops and workrooms forthe employment of blind persons capable of useful labor, and toprovide superintendence and other assistance therefor andinstruction therein; to compensate the persons so employed in themanner and to the extent that the division shall deem proper; toprovide such means for the sale of the products of the blind asthe division shall deem expedient; to act as a bureau ofinformation for the purpose of securing employment for the blindof this state elsewhere than in the shops and workrooms of thedivision and to this end the division is authorized to procureand furnish materials and tools and to furnish aid and assistanceto blind persons engaged in home industries and to buy and sellthe products of the blind wherever and however produced withinthis state; to provide for the temporary cost of the food,raiment and shelter of deserving blind persons engaged in usefullabor; to ameliorate the condition of the blind by such meansconsistent with the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 asthe division may deem expedient; provided, however, that no partof the funds appropriated by the state shall be used for solelycharitable purposes; the object and purpose of sections 209.010to 209.160 being to encourage capable blind persons in thepursuit of useful labor and to provide for the prevention andcure of blindness.

(RSMo 1939 § 9447)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 8889; 1919 § 12361

CROSS REFERENCES:

Division of family services to administer aid or pension to blind persons, RSMo 207.010

Readers for blind persons attending college in this state, RSMo 178.160 to 178.180