Valentin Haüy was a French pioneer in education for the blind. Here's some information about him:
Founder of the First School for the Blind: Haüy is most famous for establishing the first ever school dedicated to blind children in 1785. The school, initially called the Institute for Blind Youth, is now known as the National Institute for the Young Blind (INJA). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Ha%C3%BCy
Motivated by Compassion: He was inspired to work with the blind after witnessing the cruel treatment of blind men exhibited at a sideshow. This experience moved him to dedicate his efforts to improving the lives of blind people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Ha%C3%BCy
Championed Literacy: Haüy believed that blind people deserved access to education and literacy. He developed a system of raised letters for the blind to read by touch, which predated the Braille system that we know today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Ha%C3%BCy
Legacy Lives On: The school Haüy founded continues to operate today and is a testament to his groundbreaking work. Even Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille code, attended this very institution in 1819. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Ha%C3%BCy
"The Father and Apostle of the Blind": Haüy's dedication to education for the blind earned him the nickname "The Father and Apostle of the Blind".
