History of Disability in South Australia

In 1865 William Townsend, politician and lay preacher discovered that there were thirty four destitute blind people living in the State. He established a Public Committee comprising prominent citizens to raise funds to build an institution for the blind, deaf and dumb. His spirit of philanthropy combined with his determination to help people less fortunate than himself led to the establishment of Townsend House. Over one hundred and thirty years years later Townsend House is still serving the children of South Australia who have a sensory impairment.

The South Australian Institution for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb

In 1874 The South Australian Institution for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb was established to provide a refuge, education and boarding facilities. The Grace Darling Building and surrounding land, located in Brighton was leased and bought two years later. A larger building was needed and in 1878 Townsend House was built. It was a two storey stone building in the Victorian Gothic style and cost £ 4,289. After completion twenty four children were admitted. The education provided was described as “of an ordinary school type”. Children could board as either fee or non-fee paying pupils. However, by 1880 all borders were without means and unable to pay fees. By 1894 Townsend House catered for a total of one hundred and forty six children.

The Industrial School for the Blind

In 1884 The Industrial School for the Blind was established in North Adelaide for adults who were blind. Nine pupils were transferred from Townsend House to the new school. The establishment of the school was a reflection of changing community attitudes. The belief was that an institution should be less of an asylum, and instead, provide education and training to its pupils. The new school provided training in trades such as brush and basket making.

The Institution

As it was now considered beneficial to educate pupils in a trade, boot making was taught to boys at the Institution in 1892. Two years later woodwork was introduced. Girls were taught laundry work, needle work, knitting and table waiting. In 1915 the government passed legislation making it compulsory to educate blind, deaf, and mentally defective children between the ages of six and sixteen. Parents had to comply with this legislation otherwise they were fined for non-compliance. The Institution was proud that it hadn’t excluded or refused any pupil due to a parent’s inability to pay fees. School fees were charged but a means test allowed pupils from poor families an education. The Institution employed official collectors to solicit donations from the public. By 1925, two hundred and eighty nine deaf and one hundred and twenty nine blind children had been admitted to the Institution. The majority of them, by the time they became adults, were able to maintain themselves in the community.

Mainstream education

In 1929 two boys who were deaf attended Goodwood Central School to learn woodwork and metalwork. It was the first integration of children who were deaf into mainstream education. In 1932 the number increased to six. In 1945/46 the Institution established a new Oral Kindergarten for children who were deaf at Gilberton. In 1946 the school changed its name to Townsend House Schools for Deaf and Blind Children. The trend toward integration picked up momentum and in 1952 two more oral classes at Kilkenny Primary School were opened up. This was followed by a unit for the partially deaf at Woodville Primary School and another unit at North Adelaide. The Canon Report of 1953 recommended that the Institution’s School for the Deaf should become a special public school under the Minister of Education. It took 10 years to implement the recommendation. From 1945-1955 the total intake to the Schools for Deaf and Blind Children was forty six and in 1967 there were seventy one children who were deaf and thirty who were blind.

In 1961 the Minister of Education commissioned the Howard Report to investigate the financial situation of the Institution. The report highlighted its deteriorating financial position. A deputation form the Board of Townsend House went to the Minister and requested that the government take over the responsibility of educating the children. The government assumed responsibility and the Education Department took over control of the School. There were major changes in the approach towards educating the Deaf between 1963 and 1976 with an emphasis toward mainstream education. A new school complex was built by Townsend House at a cost of $1.1 million, with assistance from government grants. The School had three independent schools:

• The South Australian School for Blind Children
• The South Australian School for Deaf Children
• Pre-School for Hearing and Hearing Impaired Children

Community Services

In 1985 Townsend House took its first step into Community Services with the introduction of the Early Childhood Support Services – Blind and Vision Impaired. The Time for Carers Program was introduced in 1987 and supported families of children who lived at home and not in an institution. Townsend House developed a community based program for children (0-12 years) who were Deaf or hearing impaired and gained funding from State Government Disability Services. They provided a range of therapeutic, training and recreational programs that lead to independent living. Over the years their Community Services have grown and developed, providing programs for children with a sensory impairment and their families. Townsend House has become involved with blind sporting bodies and affiliated organisations who support people who are deaf and hearing impaired.

On December 7th 2001, the Minister for Ageing and Disabilities launched The CanDo4Kids Townsend House Foundation.

Reference

Can do 4 kids: Townsend House. 2006. [online]. [Accessed 12 April 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.townsendhouse.com.au/AboutUs/History/tabid/99/Default.aspx>