Helen Keller was an amazing person who overcame her deafness and blindness to become a world champion for the rights of those with disabilities. Before she was 2 years old, an illness rendered her blind and deaf. She first learned to communicate with sign language as a child. Later, still as a young person, Helen Keller was profoundly influenced by Charles Dickens' book entitled American Notes that chronicles the education of a deaf and blind child.
Helen Keller did not allow her disabilities to limit her ambitions or stop her from tackling new challenges. She was the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college. She wrote books, met with presidents, and toured the world to encourage those with disabilities and advocate for women's rights.
Helen Keller made history and changed people's perspective on the abilities of those with disabilities. She toured 39 countries advocating for people with disabilities, children's rights, women's rights. Here, in the U.S., she helped change laws and establish programs to help people with disabilities.
Many people with disabilities face not only the challenge of their disability but also ignorance and prejudice when seeking employment. Employers, be a champion for people with disabilities to find and keep meaningful employment. You may just employ the next Helen Keller.
