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PERKINS GENERAL BROCHURE (2004)

Cover:
All we see is possibility...
Perkins School for the Blind

MAKING INDEPENDENCE A REALITY
Perkins is committed to helping people who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or with multiple disabilities reach their greatest independence. For over 40,000 people every year, Perkins is helping make independence a reality. Perkins staff helps 200 students on campus and 450 babies in their homes throughout Massachusetts. We serve 18,000 New England patrons through Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library and 10,000 individuals who are deafblind or have multiple disabilities and their families in developing countries. Our staff helps elders in their homes and at our Elder Learning Center. We also go into public schools to help thousands of mainstreamed students who are blind.

Sidebar:
Founded in 1829 as the nation's first school for the blind, Perkins School for the Blind serves infants and elders in their homes; school- age students on campus and in the community; and deafblind children in 50 developing countries.

ON CAMPUS
In 1829, Perkins School for the Blind began in a couple of rooms in downtown Boston. Today, students and staff work together on a 38-acre campus where the mission of helping people reach their greatest independence is the same. Perkins' reach is vast, but the heart of its programs and services begins on campus with the day and residential students.  

PRESCHOOL (AGES 3 - 6) 
A family-centered education program, Perkins Preschool considers children with visual impairments first and foremost as children with the same needs all children have for love, acceptance, exploration and sense of accomplishment. Close communication among parents, professionals and local school systems is a cornerstone of the Preschool's individualized, comprehensive services. 

LOWER SCHOOL (AGES 6 - 14)
The oldest program in the world serving elementary school-aged children with visual impairments, Perkins Lower School maximizes the strengths and potential of all students in preparation for their future lives as responsible, respected adults. Academics, prevocational skills, social skills and daily living skills are the core of the program, complemented by clinical therapies and other support services. 

SECONDARY PROGRAM (AGES 14 - 22)
The Secondary Program provides academic classes based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks that challenge students to meet high standards.  Social and independent living skills, communication skills, vocational exploration, work experience, and the productive use of leisure time are also emphasized. Individualized programs are designed to promote independence and inclusion in the mainstream of society. Students prepare for supported work, jobs or further education. Graded and ungraded classes are available for both day and residential students.

DEAFBLIND PROGRAM (AGES 3 - 22)
The primary emphasis of the Deafblind Program is the development of language skills using a total communication approach, which may include sign and spoken language, written language, braille, pictures, objects, gestures and/or alternative or augmentative communication systems. The goal, as always, is to nurture each student's strengths to become a full and participating member of society within the context of his or her own level of independence.

Quote:
"I've learned from Perkins... When you set your mind to it and just follow through, and you have a plan of action, you can succeed in anything you want." 
- Stephen Yerardi, Secondary Program

PANDA SIDEBAR:
Perkins staff bring their expertise to the public through publications such as Perkins Activity & Resource Guide, Remarkable Conversations and the Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program. For more information, see www.perkinspublications.org.


NEW ENGLAND AND BEYOND
Perkins reaches over 40,000 children, elders and professionals.

INFANTS, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS
Every year, Perkins professionals visit over 450 Massachusetts homes to help parents learn how to encourage the development of their babies and toddlers with visual impairments. They also assist preschool children and their families in their local preschools.

ELEMENTARY & TEEN ACTIVITIES
First to 12th grade students from all over New England get together during weekends, public school vacations and summers to share their experiences, learn adaptive independent living skills, and to have fun. Outreach Services also offers space camp, theater and vocational preparation programs.

OUTREACH SATELLITE PROGRAMS
Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation & Mobility Specialists work with babies, preschool and school-age children, their families and professionals on Cape Cod and in Western Massachusetts. An office on Cape Cod serves as a resource center.

PERKINS BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
The Library provides free books and magazines on tape, and the machines that play them to people in Massachusetts and Rhode Island who are unable to read traditional print due to a vision or physical disability. It also loans materials in braille throughout New England. The Library's collection, distributed through the mail, serves 18,000 patrons.

NEW ENGLAND CENTER DEAFBLIND SERVICES PROJECT
Technical assistance, consultation and training for professionals and families of infants, children and youth who are deafblind in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

ELDERS & THE ELDER LEARNING CENTER
Rehabilitation Specialists teach adaptive home management and independent living skills to elders in their homes. Elders can also attend specialized adult education courses in the Elder Learning Center on campus.

PERKINS LOW VISION CLINIC  
Functional and clinical evaluations, training and educational services are provided for infants, children and adults who have a variety of visual, physical and cognitive disabilities.

PERKINS TRAINING CENTER
Perkins is the largest provider of training for teachers and other specialists in New England working with students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind. Training takes place on campus, throughout New England and via distance learning for over 600 people annually.

OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE:
The Samuel P. Hayes Research Library
Parents Advocacy
Diagnostic Evaluations

Quote:
"Ten years ago, I was giving up completely. Not now. I'm looking forward to the next ten years." 
- Marjorie Vogel, participant in Perkins Elder Program


AROUND THE WORLD

HOWE PRESS & THE PERKINS BRAILLER
Since 1951, Howe Press has produced the Perkins Brailler, the worldwide standard braille writing machine designed by a Perkins staff member. In addition to the Watertown site, Perkins Howe Press has Brailler assembly plants in England, India and South Africa. About 300,000 Perkins Braillers have been sold to people in more than 170 countries. The Brailler is a vital tool in braille literacy in the United States and worldwide.

HILTON/PERKINS PROGRAM
Committed to supporting programs for children who are deafblind or blind with multiple disabilities in developing countries, the Hilton/Perkins Program provides technical assistance, program development, training and instructional materials to over 10,000 people in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Russia. Funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Hilton/Perkins Program's goal is to help agencies develop independent, self-sustaining services for some of the world's most overlooked populations.
	
For over 80 years, our Educational Leadership Program has brought teachers and other educators in the fields of blindness and deafblindness for a year of intensive classroom and practical study at Perkins. Participants return to their home countries with knowledge to share with their students, agencies, schools and other professionals in the field.

Sidebar:
Braille literacy is the key to employment: 85% of blind people who know braille are employed, yet over 70% without braille skills are not.

Quote:
"I believe miracles happen through people, and I see the entire staff at Perkins helping Rebecca become the person she is destined to be..."
- Barbara Slattery, Parent of a child in Perkins Lower School Program


JOIN THE PERKINS FAMILY
With your support, we can help people live with dignity and pride. We can help people achieve their greatest independence. Perkins depends on your support to continue reaching out to babies in Massachusetts, to schoolchildren throughout New England and to everyone touched by Perkins services. 

There are so many ways to become part of the Perkins family.

VOLUNTEER 
Join the generous people who donate over 30,000 hours a year to Perkins. Volunteer opportunities can be found on the web: www.Perkins.org; Volunteer Program, 617-972-7224, or Volunteers@Perkins.org.

DONATE 
Financial support from people driven by compassion, foresight and generosity enables Perkins to make a difference in so many lives: Development Office, 617-972-7466, or Development@Perkins.org.

VISIONARY SOCIETY 
Leadership donors who contribute $500 or more become members in Perkins Visionary Society: Development Office, 617-972-7466, or Development@Perkins.org.

STAFF 
Employees are the heart of Perkins' many programs. Learn about job opportunities and even apply on-line: www.Perkins.org; Personnel office, 617-972-7210, or Recruiter@Perkins.org.

TOURS & SPEAKERS BUREAU 
Tours for school groups and civic organizations can be scheduled Monday through Friday for as many as 20 people: Tours@Perkins.org. To schedule a speaker at your organization, contact PublicSpeaker@Perkins.org.

REFERRALS 
Visit Perkins Website to learn about different programs and referral information at www.Perkins.org.

Quote:
"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much more." -Helen Keller


OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION & BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
Chairman
C. Richard Carlson
Vice Chairs
Linda DiBenedetto
Dudley H. Willis
Secretary
Charles A. Cheever
Treasurer
Charles C.J. Platt

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
C. Richard Carlson*
Frederic M. Clifford*
Linda DiBenedetto*
William J. Edwards
Brenda J. Furlong
Albert Gayzagian*
Loretta Warner Holway
Janet Burrows James
William A. Lowell
Andrea Lamp Peabody
Dudley H. Willis
The Rev. Brinton W. Woodward, Jr.
*  Appointed by the Governor
of the Commonwealth

PRESIDENT 
Steven M. Rothstein

Quote:
"There is joy over every child's change. This is so profound 
in a world where the most vulnerable are often left behind."
- Ruth Reddington, Perkins volunteer