The School Program
The Foundation understands that the message of courage and selflessness implied in Helen Keller's legacy is and always will be important to transmit to new generations – both for its own value, and as a means to promote public understanding of vision and hearing research. Accordingly, it has adopted education alongside research as a cornerstone of the Foundation's activities. In 1994, the Foundation appointed Ms. Keller Johnson, a great niece of Helen Keller, to develop and conduct this Education Program.
As a beginning, the Foundation established a School Program consisting of a slide presentation on the life and legacy of Helen Keller, and materials that depict the serious nature of eye injuries as well as their prevention and first aid. Since October 1994, Ms. Johnson has visited more than 1,250 schools and touched the lives of more than 170,000 students throughout the U.S. In addition to material that fits into the language, social studies, health and science segments of an elementary school curriculum, the School Program provides a unique opportunity to influence the moral development of students by focusing on the character and achievements of Helen Keller.
Response to the School Program among teachers, students, parents, school administrators and the media has been excellent.
The Community Program
While the focus of the Program has been on school children, it has inevitably expanded to include presentations to adult groups and interactions with other non-profit organizations with similar interests, such as Lions Club International, the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation, the American Foundation for the Blind and the Perkins Institute for the Deaf and Blind.
Learn about the Helen Keller Festival.
About Keller Johnson
Keller Johnson has returned to live in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA – Helen's hometown and the site of Ivy Green, where Helen was born on June 27, 1880. Keller is now the Foundation's Vice President for Education and is available to speak at sponsored events worldwide, consistent with her schedule.
