We look at five people who deeply believed in improving education and support for disabled people. And how they gave us everything from a form of sign language to guide dogs.
Welcome to our series about famous people in history who passionately advocated for disabled people and their rights.
This time, we’ll look at people who pushed for better education and support for disabled people. You might not have heard of these people, but you’ll already know about some of things they achieved.
Thomas Braidwood: the sign language scholar
Braidwood was a writing teacher who taught children at his home in Edinburgh, in Scotland.
In 1760, he accepted his first deaf pupil: a ten-year-old named Charles Shirreff. After this, Braidwood changed his focus to teaching the deaf.
He renamed his building Braidwood’s Academy for the Deaf and Dumb. And developed a form of sign language, articulation and lip reading.
This became the first school of its kind in Britain. Dr Samuel Johnson called it ‘a College for the Deaf and Dumb, who are taught to speak, read and write.’
In 1783, Braidwood moved to Hackney and established another academy. There’s still a plaque on a block of flats there today, commemorating his school.
Jack Tizard: the enlightened educator
Image credit: Creative Commons
Both of Tizard’s parents contracted tuberculosis when he was young, so he was brought up by his grandmother and aunts.
After university, renowned philosopher Karl Popper said Tizard was “the best student I had in New Zealand.”
Tizard spent five years in the ambulance service during World War II. When he moved to the UK, he became a psychologist.
He demonstrated children and adults with learning difficulties could be taught skills for work. And did not need to be in an institution.
He was granted two prestigious awards for his work. He was well known for committing to using high research standards to address important social problems. And for making research results widely available.
Tizard is still revered and remembered today. He even has a school in London named after him: the Jack Tizard School.
Support and independence go hand in hand. Learn how the Scheme helps people get to school, work and more, or watch the video below.
Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond: the guide dog trainers
Everyone’s a fan of guide dogs. Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond introduced them to the UK together.
In 1930, they heard about guide dogs in America and asked The Seeing Eye school to send one of their trainers.
Crooke and Bond organised training for the first four British guide dogs, from a humble lock-up garage in Merseyside.
They taught them to spot and avoid obstacles, find doors, and safely cross the road. Then they helped found The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
These furry friends have supported thousands of blind and partially sighted people, so they can live the life they choose.
Their legacy is still felt in our support for customers with visual impairments, such as our tailored vehicle adaptations.
Walter Callow: the genius veteran
When World War I started, Callow enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), in Canada.
He crashed on a test flight and suffered a serious back injury and heart condition. His health declined after that, and he was soon blind and quadriplegic.
Callow used his money to design an accessibility bus for disabled veterans, so they could enjoy the countryside. He had two built, then created a fleet. And soon became known as “the genius of Halifax.”
“When a man dies, they will ask ‘What did he do for others?'” he said. Callow only rode his bus once, at his funeral, with full military honours.
Still some inspiring icons to go
Next time, we’ll unveil five truly inspiring artists, scientists and healers who broke the mould. That includes the famous Mexican painter and icon, Frida Kahlo.
And check out the first two articles in our series:
Inspired by these stories?
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