Every year, the last week of June is devoted to International Deaf-Blindness Week and Awareness. This year, the week running from June 27th to July 3rd is devoted to the life of individuals who are deaf-blind, and to celebrate the birthday of Helen Keller—a well-known deaf-blind woman.

Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1882, Helen was stricken by an illness today believed to have been scarlet fever. That illness left her blind and deaf when she was just one year and seven months old. She struggled to communicate and she even would feel isolated from the world. On Graham Bell’s advice, her family brought her to Perkin’s Institute for Blind. There, she met her teacher Anne Sullivan, who totally changed the way she saw the future. Sullivan taught her to communicate with the world around her. Their partnership lasted 49 years.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”—Helen Keller.

She touched the lips of Sullivan to learn how to speak. The first word she learnt was “water”. Helen became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1904. In 1953, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Helen Keller is known for her strong support for people with disabilities. She travelled to over 25 countries for lectures and motivational speeches about deaf-blind people’s conditions. Helen Keller died on June 1st, 1968 at her home.

Her life story inspired many organizations, communities or even movies’ production, such as “The Miracle of Anne Sullivan” and “Black”.

What is HKNC?

HKNC stands for Helen Keller National Center for deaf-blind youths and adults. In the lobby of the center, a relief and an oil painting depict an older Helen Keller. The goal of HKNC is to enable each deaf and blind person in the United States to live and work in the community of their choice.

Created in 1967 by an Act of Congress called HKNC Act, the center is the only agency in the United States which exclusively works with deaf and blind adults. The HKNC continues to provide a wide variety of services to the deaf-blind population, including vocational services, independent living skills, and so much more. The HKNC for deaf-blind youths and adults provides a transdisciplinary approach to training programs, where anyone will not feel isolated anymore. Everything is designed for an individual’s need.

Sources: Britannica, Perkins, Deaf-Blind International, Helen Keller Nation Center, Awareness Days, Helen Keller Deaf-Blind