Can you name a significant famous person with a disability who contributed to the American society?

stephen hawking

Franklin D Roosevelt.

No doubt one of the most important politicians of the 20th century, his administration was far reaching politically and socially. He was paralysed from the waist down, this did not stop him from leading the country through one of the few successfully wars America has fought on foreign soil (if you can ever really think of war as successful, no matter how necessary) and out of one of the worst economic depressions ever seen.

I'd also put in a vote for the artist Chuck Close.

Truman Capote Had epilepsy

Hank Williams had spina bifida, the pain of which may have prompted his drink/drug abuse

Thomas Edison was deaf as a result of childhood scarlett fever

Stevie Wonder, one of the greatest song writers of modern times is blind, As was...

Ray Charles

The list of people who have a disability in the form of mental illness, dyslexia, Touretts syndrome, Aspergers syndrome... You get the picture; the list goes on, and for all these less visible, but none the less deeply effecting disabilities, the sheer volume, of successful, important people, who have contributed in numerous important ways to the society in which they live, is just to long to type here

FDR

Franklin D Roosavelt

Had Polio during Presidency.

Roosevelt

Didn't Roosevelt end up in a wheel chair?

http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/fi/0000016a...