The Miracle Worker:A play by William GibsonThe Miracle Worker:A play by William Gibson

William Gibson Facts:William Gibson Facts:

Born in 1914 in New York CityStruggled academically in schoolGifted piano playerAttended City College in New York City but got expelled for poor grades

William Gibson continuedWilliam Gibson continued

It took 20 years to make his living from writing alone.He was supported by his wife and odd jobs until then.

His most popular plays are Miracle Worker and Two for the Seesaw.

Gibson died on November 25, 2008.

Helen’s World: Birth to Age 20Helen’s World: Birth to Age 20

1880-85 Edison invents the light bulb1886-90 First Kodak box cameras invented; Eiffel Tower is designed; first daily newspapers begin in major cities; Coca-Cola is invented1891-95 Radio-telegraph invented; first U.S. motion studio is built; typewriters become common1895-1900 The x-ray is invented; daily mail delivery become possible in the U.S.

A Little About Helen KellerA Little About Helen Keller

Born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, AlabamaDaughter of Captain Arthur Keller and Kate Adams KellerHelen lost her sight and hearing at 19 months old due to meningitis fever

In 1887, Annie Sullivan would become Helen’s live-in tutor under the recommendation of The Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston.Their friendship would last forever.Helen learned “finger spelling” and Braille quickly.At age 8, Helen left Alabama to attend Perkins School in Boston with Annie.She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1904 with honors

At this time, she was famous for her triumphs over her barriers of blindness and deafness.She devoted the rest of her life to social reform and education about disabilities.She won many humanitarian awards.She published 14 books in her lifetime, including her autobiography.She met every President from Coolidge to J.F.K.Helen died on June 1, 1968, at the age of 87.

Helen’s Birthplace: Tuscumbia, AlabamaHelen’s Birthplace: Tuscumbia, Alabama

Helen Keller’s HomeHelen Keller’s Home

Inside Helen’s home:Inside Helen’s home:

Annie SullivanAnnie Sullivan

She was born in 1866 in Springfield, MO

She had a difficult home life and alcoholic father.

Annie went blind from an eye disease (trachoma)

At age ten, Annie and her brother Jimmie were sent to the state poorhouse.

Jimmie died there, and his death was hard on Annie.

Annie was determined and studied at the Perkins Institute for the Blind.

She was top in her class.Shortly after graduation, she

went to work for the Keller family.

Perkins School for the BlindPerkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind, located in Watertown, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and most prominent schools for the blind in the United States. It has also been known as the Perkins Institution for the Blind. As the school evolved, so did the population. Perkins changed its charter in 1982 to accept students with multiple disabilities other than blindness.

A major grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in 1989 made it possible to expand Perkins' services throughout the U.S. and in 50 developing countries through Perkins' International Programs.

American Sign Language American Sign Language

The Braille Alphabet for the BlindThe Braille Alphabet for the Blind

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990[1] was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009.The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law. The law states that employers can’t discriminate based on a documented disability.

Scenes from the 1962 Academy Award winning movie starring Ann Bancroft and Patty Duke.

Scenes from the 1962 Academy Award winning movie starring Ann Bancroft and Patty Duke.