HELEN KELLER

BACKGROUND INFO

• Born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia.
• Keller was born with her senses of sight and hearing.
• Keller contracted an illness called "Brain Fever"
• Keller had both lost her sight and hearing when she was 19 months old.

Helen Keller impacted today's society by pushing the United States government for more assistance for the blind, changing people lives of millions of people with impairments and giving courage and hope for the blind.

REASON/ACTION 1

• First reason was Helen pushing the Government for more assistance for the blind.
• People with disabilities have lower educational rates, lower incomes and social influence.
• Helen wanted to change that.
• She wanted more support for the disabled.
• In 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act
• Offered unemployment insurance, retirement funds, and assistance for children to the disabled.
• After Helen's hard work, blind people were included in the category of "disabled"
• It meant that they could apply for financial help.

REASON/ACTION 2

• What Helen did to change people lives with impairments was
• Wherever she traveled, she brought encouragement to millions of blind people
• And many efforts to improve conditions
• For those with no vision outside the United States.
• After her visits, many real improvements became available.
• Better job training, more Braille books, books on tape, and better educational opportunities.
• Many people who were blind took Helen Keller as their role model.

REASON/ACTION 3

• The last reason was Helen giving courage and hope for the blind.
• Along her journey, Helen encountered public prejudice about her disabilities.
• Though she met with some obstacles, her commitment and support by others was what got her through.
• Millions of people were inspired and brought encouragement from her speeches and appearances.
• As a name that is known worldwide. Helen Keller is a symbol of courage and hope.
• She dedicated her entire life to make other lives better,helping people see the potential in their own lives.
• As well as the lives of people around them.

Without Helen's hard work and effort, people with disabilities wouldn't be getting the assistance they needed or deserve. Even the inspiration and encouragement. Stated by others, People with disabilities are usually an "embarrassment to their families" and need more "support". They are looked at in a way or even treated in a way as if they're not human at all, just cause of a disability they have. But Helen changed that, she proved millions of people that thought people like her couldn't achieve anything, wrong. Everyone has their own ways of making achievements, different path, different timing. For some people, it just takes patience and more effort.