How did the New-England Institution for the Education of the Blind gain national attention under Samuel Gridley Howe?

The New-England Institution for the Education of the Blind (later the Perkins School for the Blind) gained national attention through several strategic efforts led by Samuel Gridley Howe:

• Public Exhibitions: Howe organized public demonstrations where his pupils showcased their skills in reading, writing, oratory, and musical performance. These exhibitions were held across the United States, including appearances before the U.S. Congress, to prove the potential of blind individuals to become independent, contributing citizens.1
• Media Coverage: The school received significant fame through reports in newspapers and magazines. Additionally, the education of Laura Bridgman—a deaf and blind student who mastered communication through finger spelling and raised type—brought the institution international renown. Her progress was famously documented by Charles Dickens in his work American Notes.21
• Regional Advocacy: Howe traveled extensively with his students throughout the country, from New England to the South and Midwest, using his lectures and the students' performances to encourage state legislators to establish similar public facilities for the blind.1