Abigail Breslin to portray Helen Keller

Abigail Breslin has reportedly been cast to portray Helen Keller.

The Little Miss Sunshine Oscar-nominated actress has landed the lead role in an upcoming off-Broadway production of The Miracle Worker.

Advocacy groups have opposed the 13-year-old's casting as the blind and deaf activist, disagreeing with the producer's decision to not audition actresses for the part who shared Keller’s disabilities.

Sharon Jenson, executive director of the Alliance For Inclusion In The Arts, said: "We do not think it’s OK for reputable producers to cast this lead role without seriously considering an actress from our community.

"I understand how difficult it is to capitalise a new production on Broadway, but that to me is not the issue. There are other larger human and artistic issues at stake here."

The Broadway revival of The Miracle Worker is to open this winter.