How has deafblind education changed since Helen Keller was a student?
Some of the techniques that Anne used with Helen are still used today. We still use tactile sign language with some of our students. However, most of our students are not totally deafblind like Helen. Most have some usable sight or some usable hearing. So students with some usable sight can actually see the sign language close up. Students who have some usable hearing may not need sign language, but they do need to study braille. Students also use pictures, objects, and even computers to help them communicate with others. Helen Keller didn’t have a teacher until she was almost seven years old. Most of the students who are deafblind today are luckier because parents and teachers start working with them when they are infants. They don’t have to wait to begin education and they learn how to communicate at an early age.
