Writing Day: Helen Keller's Inspirational Journaling Experience
Let's Dive into Typewriter Tuesday!
Welcome to our weekly series, Typewriter Tuesday, where we delve into the writeous tools behind masterpieces of literature. Tune in every week to know more about these badass machines and the visionaries who put pen to ink, or rather, fingers to keys. Our latest hit, Tools of the Trade, made its grand entrance on June 22 and showcases more than a dozen typewriters, along with other writing implements used by American writers.
This week, we're gearing up for something unique - a writing tool that goes beyond the realm of typewriters: Helen Keller's braille writer, courtesy of the American Foundation for the Blind.
"No obstacle of the senses keeps me distant from the charming, heartfelt conversations of my book friends. They communicate freely with me without the slightest awkwardness."
National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every July 26 to celebrate the day the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. The indefatigable Helen Keller, long before this monumental legislation was passed, was a tireless advocate for the rights of individuals with physical and mental disabilities, a large part of which she achieved through her literary prowess. It's quite possible that some of her words of wisdom were etched on the very device showcased below.
But, how does it work?
The braille writer is an amazing, life-altering contraption. Similar to a typewriter, but with some significant differences, the writer only has 6 keys - each key representing a dot that forms all letters in braille. By pressing these keys in the correct combination, Helen Keller and other blind writers of the time embossed each letter on paper that lay flat on the back plate of the braille writer. The hammer responsible for this miraculous feat moved along the paper, in a fashion similar to the ribbon spool in a manual typewriter, allowing each letter to be meticulously typed. Take a peek at the short video below to witness Helen Keller using her braille writer in action:
The Advocate Par Excellence
While Helen Keller was an exceptional writer, she was so much more. An ambassador, suffragist, civil rights activist, and a steadfast advocate for the deafblind community. Long before most people even thought about ADA compliance, Keller was fighting for schools and resources for the blind, not just for themselves but for those with physical and mental disabilities.
Notably, Keller was closely associated with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), which was one of the first agencies in the country to provide services for blind adults. At the annual meeting of the American Association of Workers for the Blind in 1907, Keller delivered a speech on behalf of the MCB, and her words echo strongly even today:
"We must ensure that the interests of one class of the blind do not overshadow another or any part of the work being undervalued."
She championed the cause of disabled children being given the same resources and education that was often advocated for in adults. While she was an ardent proponent of higher education (she was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor's degree, and the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Harvard), Keller's message was clear - disabled children should be given opportunities and education regardless of their perceived abilities. Ultimately, she travelled to 39 different countries advocating for schools for the blind, ensuring that doors were opened for them.
At the American Writers Museum, we strive to be an open, inclusive space for all. And we're thrilled to offer braille guidebooks for our Tools of the Trade exhibit, provided by our friends at Hadley. If you have any other accessibility requests, please don't hesitate to reach out to us before your visit!
- Incorporating various aspects of lifestyle, tarry a while to admire Helen Keller's braille writer, a subject of our current segment, 'Tools of the Trade.'
- For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, art, and personal growth, this week's Typewriter Tuesday offers an insightful video displaying Keller's usage of her braille writer.
- The food-and-drink enthusiasts among us can delight in the thought that Keller's braille writer, a marvel of its time, inspired her to share her wisdom and recipes for culinary delights.
- Home-and-garden lovers can envision the scenes where Keller wrote her thoughts, utilizing her unique braille writer.
- The realm of relationships and education-and-self-development can learn from Keller's tireless advocacy for individuals with disabilities, one of her many accomplishments showcased by the braille writer.
- Pet owners and sports enthusiasts might appreciate the indomitable spirit Keller displayed, overcoming physical challenges to leave a lasting impact in different aspects of life.
- Career-development seekers can trace Keller's extraordinary trajectory, from using her braille writer for writing to becoming a world-renowned advocate and lecturer, all as another testament to personal growth.
