The history and development of the vocational program for blind students at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind has been in operation since 1885 and no known attempt has been made by anyone to document the history and development of the vocational programs for the blind students. With each passing year, it would have been more difficult and, probably in some cases, impossible to conduct personal interviews and collect the necessary data to make this study as accurate as it should be. Further pointing to the importance of this study is the rapidly changing population in residential schools for the blind and the increasing need for specialized vocational training for the current and future students.

The data collected in the development of the study were helpful in pointing to the program's strength and weaknesses. Catalogues, brochures, annual and biennial reports, other school publications, literature, interviews and personal records were used in gathering data for this study.

Data were found on the operation of the vocational program for the blind students of the school from the early 1900s through 1979. Data on vocational programs conducted by other residential schools and agencies for the blind were collected and included in the study. Many facts about the actual development and operation of the vocational program were recorded. Recommendations for the improvement of the vocational program were also made.