Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

• This year Deafblind Awareness Week will be observed from June 25 to July 1.
• This week is marked annually during the last week of June in honor of leading humanitarian Helen Keller’s birthday on June 27.
• Being deaf and blind herself, Keller’s work made a big difference in the lives of deafblind people.
• The term deaf blindness refers to a combination of visual and auditory impairments and is much more common than many people realize.
• Over 15 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with severe deaf blindness.
• So, besides commemorating Kellen’s accomplishments, this week is a chance for us to raise awareness of the condition and make the world a more deafblind-friendly place.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HELEN KELLER

1. Her relatives felt she should be institutionalized.
   • When Keller was about seven, she would kick and scream when angry and giggle uncontrollably when happy.
2. Keller’s first word was ‘water.’
   • Sullivan taught Keller the word ‘water’ by putting water on Keller’s hand and spelling out w-a-t-e-r on Keller’s other hand, and Keller understood and then repeated the word on Sullivan’s hand.
3. She experienced public prejudice against her disabilities.
   • After expressing her socialist views, the "Brooklyn Eagle" news editor wrote that her “mistakes sprung out of the manifest limitations of her development.”
4. Keller traveled to 35 countries.
   • Being appointed counselor of international relations for the American Foundation of Overseas Blind, Keller traveled to 35 countries on five continents between 1946 and 1957.
5. Her autobiography inspired a television drama.
   • “The Miracle Worker,” a television drama, was based on Keller’s “The Story of My Life.”

HOW TO OBSERVE DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK

1. Spread the word.
   • It is estimated that many people in the world are living with severe deafblindness. Help spread awareness of the condition and take measures to make the world more deafblind-friendly.
2. Educate yourself.
   • Learn how to interact with a deafblind person. For example, when you first meet a deafblind person, let them know about your presence by them tapping gently on their shoulder or arm.
3. Read books by Helen Keller
   • Keller published 12 books and several articles. If you have never read one of her works, it’s the best time to start reading “The Story of My Life.” You’ll surely get new insights.

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