Volume 49 · 1560
Public Law 74–638
To authorize the operation of stands in Federal buildings by blind persons, to enlarge the economic opportunities of the blind, and for other purposes.
Approved June 20, 1936
Statutory text
AN ACT
To authorize the operation of stands in Federal buildings by blind persons, to enlarge the economic opportunities of the blind, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That for the
Operation of stands in Federal buildings by blind persons.
purpose of providing blind persons with remunerative employment, enlarging the economic opportunities of the blind, and stimulating the blind to greater efforts in striving to make themselves self-supporting blind persons licensed under the provisions of this Act shall be authorized to operate vending stands in any Federal building where, in the discretion of the head of the department or agency in charge of the maintenance of the building, such vending stands may be properly and satisfactorily operated by blind persons.
Sec. 2.
The Office of Education in the Department of the
Office of Education, duties prescribed.
Interior, subject to the direction of the Commissioner of Education and such rules and regulations as he may, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, prescribe, shall—
Make surveys of concession-stand opportunities for blind
Surveys of concession stand opportunities.
Surveys of industries affording employment.
persons in Federal and other buildings in the United States;
Make surveys throughout the United States of industries with a view to obtaining information that will assist blind persons to obtain employment;
Make available to the public, and especially to persons and
Dissemination of information obtained.
organizations engaged in work for the blind, information obtained as a result of such surveys;
Designate as provided in section 3 of this Act the State
Designation of public agencies in States to issue licenses to blind citizens for operation of vending stands.
commission for the blind in each State, or, in any State in which there is no such commission some other public agency to issue licenses to blind persons who are citizens of the United States and at least twenty-one years of age for the operating of vending stands in Federal and other buildings in such State for the vending of newspapers, periodicals, confections, tobacco products, and such other articles as may be approved for each building by the custodian thereof and the State licensing agency; and
Take such other steps as may be necessary and proper to
Other administrative measures.
carry out the provisions of this Act.
The State licensing agency shall, in issuing each such license for the operation of a vending stand, give preference to blind persons who are in need of employment and have resided for at least
License; duration, termination.
one year in the State in which such stand is to be located. Each such license shall be issued for an indefinite period but may be terminated by the State licensing agency if it is satisfied that the stand is not being operated in accordance with the rules and regulations
License subject to approval.
prescribed by such licensing agency. Each such license for the operation of a vending stand in a Federal building shall be subject to the approval of the Federal agency having charge of the
Limitation.
building in which the stand is located. Such licenses shall be issued only to applicants who are blind within the meaning of this Act but are able, in spite of such infirmity, to operate such stands.
The State licensing agency designated by the Office of Education is authorized, with the approval of the custodian having charge of the building in which the vending stand is to be located, to select a location for such stand and the type of stand to be provided.
Sec. 3.
A State commission for the blind or other State agency desiring to be designated as the agency for licensing blind persons for the operation of vending stands as provided in this Act shall, with the approval of the governor of the State, make application to the Commissioner of Education and agree—
To cooperate with the Commissioner of Education and with the division of vocational rehabilitation of such State in training, placing, and supervising blind persons;
To provide through loan, gift, or otherwise, for each blind person licensed to operate a stand, an adequate initial stock of suitable articles to be vended therefrom;
Sec. 4.
The Commissioner is authorized to cooperate with the State boards for rehabilitation of handicapped persons, established by the several States pursuant to the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the promotion of vocational rehabilitation of persons disabled in industry or otherwise and their return to civil employment”, approved June 2, 1920, as amended and supplemented, in carrying out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 5.
The Commissioner is authorized to make such expenditures out of any money appropriated therefor (including expenditures for personal services and rent at the seat of government and elsewhere, books of reference and periodicals, for printing and binding, and for traveling expenses) as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
The Commissioner shall, in employing such additional personnel as may be necessary, give preference to blind persons who are capable of discharging the required duties, and at least 50 per centum of such additional personnel shall be blind persons.
Sec. 6.
As used in this Act—
The term “United States” includes the several States, Territories, and possessions of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
The term “blind person” means a person having not more than 10 per centum visual acuity in the better eye with correction. Such blindness shall be certified by a duly licensed ophthalmologist.
The term “State” means a State, Territory, possession, or the District of Columbia.
Sec. 7.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
Approved, June 20, 1936.