On 27 June 1880, Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama- a figure who would go on to redefine perceptions of disability and become one of the most influential human rights advocates of the 20th century.
At just 19 months old, Keller contracted an illness- likely scarlet fever or meningitis- that left her both deaf and blind. For several years, she lived in near-total isolation, unable to communicate with the world around her.
Her life changed at age seven, when she met Anne Sullivan, the teacher who would become her lifelong companion. Sullivan began teaching Keller by spelling words into her hand- a method that opened the door to language and learning.
Helen Keller quickly mastered multiple forms of communication, including Braille, tactile sign language, and speech. She became the first deafblind person to earn a university degree, graduating from Radcliffe College in 1904.
Over the decades that followed, Keller emerged as a prominent author, lecturer, and political activist. She campaigned fiercely for disability rights, women’s suffrage, labour reform, and racial equality- well before these issues gained mainstream attention.
She published more than a dozen books and essays, including her autobiography The Story of My Life, and travelled the world to promote access and dignity for all people with disabilities.
Keller’s legacy endures today as a symbol of perseverance, education, and advocacy. Her work helped lay the foundation for the modern disability rights movement, and her story continues to inspire generations to challenge societal barriers.
Also read: International day of persons with disabilities
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