War, depression, poverty, then growing prosperity . . . PIONEERING A VISION, which marks the centenary of the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, tells a story that parallels the development of New Zealand as a whole.

Wars were a major contributor to the numbers of New Zealand blind and, one must assume, the military model had its part in the autocratic style of earlier trustees and directors of the 'Jubilee Institute'. Fines were levied for all manner of 'offences' from unpunctuality to drink in the rooms, 'inmates' had to seek board permission to marry, and a large mug of Epsom Salts was the cure for homesick blind children.

But this story covers not only the paternalistic and overbearing control of the earlier authorities, it is as well a celebration of dedication, compassion and the devotion of individual staff. It traces the battle for self determination by blind people through the Association of the Blind, the determined resistance of entrenched trustees, and the belated acceptance that blind people can achive almost anything.

- from the back cover.

Published by the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, 1992.
Very good secondhand condition.