What Were Helen Keller’s Contributions to Society?
Among Helen Keller’s contributions to society were her fundraising and awareness initiatives with the American Foundation for the Blind, her efforts to make Braille the standard system used to write books for the blind, and her work to have blind people included in the government’s definition of “disabled,” making them eligible for government aid. In addition, Keller radically change public perception regarding what a disabled person could accomplish.
Keller’s fundraising efforts for the American Foundation for the Blind led to the organization being able to help blind individuals in the areas of education, employment and independent living. The overseas wings of the organization focus on medical care and blindness prevention.
At the 1931 World Council for the Blind, Keller pushed for Braille to become the worldwide standard used in books for the blind, replacing several other similar systems. Her efforts led to the standardization of Braille around the globe.
Keller wrote several books and numerous articles regarding her own life. She also went on worldwide lecture tours that allowed her to connect with people personally and even took her own story on the vaudeville circuit for a few years. Her celebrity status led to the television program, Broadway play and movie, “The Miracle Worker,” which in turn helped people understand and change their attitudes regarding the blind and deaf. As a result, Keller was instrumental in the founding of many schools for the blind and deaf.
