Free Matter For The Blind Or Handicapped

On march 2 1899 an act regulating the postage on letters written by the blind was passed by congress.

Free matter for the blind or handicapped.

Subject to the standards below matter may be entered free of postage if mailed by or for the use of blind or other persons who cannot read or use conventionally printed materials due to a physical handicap. It allowed blind persons to mail unsealed letters in raised characters at third class rates rather than first class rates that all may read 1983 p. Letters prepared in any form by sighted individuals to be sent to a blind or other physically handicapped person or empty shipping materials for mailing matter described in this section may not be sent free and must bear the full applicable postage. Domestic free matter for the blind or handicapped must be mailed by or for blind or other persons who cannot read or use conventionally printed materials due to a physical handicap.

Free matter for the blind and other physically handicapped persons mailing. The matter is for the use of the blind or other persons who cannot use or read conventionally printed material because of a physical impairment and who are certified by competent authority as unable to read normal reading material in accordance with the provisions of sections 135a and 135b of title 2. That person must also be either an american citizen domiciled abroad or a resident of the united states. 3 0 matter sent by blind or other physically handicapped persons 3 1 acceptable letters.

This piece of legislation was the first such postal law benefiting blind persons in the united states.