He came from the rural south-east of France to learn basic vocational skills and literacy to prepare him for work as a tradesman.

[citation needed] In late 1837, Berthier petitioned the French government for permission to create the Société Centrale des Sourds-muets, which was officially founded the following year.

"[citation needed] Berthier's organisation offered deaf workers a practical avenue to support each other through "mutual aid" and a way to organize and attend adult education classes.

Berthier performed a delicate balancing act as a passionate defender of deaf identity and sign language under a repressive social and political climate.

[citation needed] In 1849, he became the first deaf person to receive the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, the highest French order of merit.