Expanding Access to Braille Literacy Worldwide

Expanding Access in Africa

Perkins is committed to promoting braille literacy by increasing access to a braille writer for every child in the world who needs it. In addition to our headquarters in Watertown, Massachusetts, we operate brailler assembly plants in India and South Africa.

Our assembly plant in Cape Town, South Africa provides braillers to the African continent and beyond. In East Africa, Perkins is partnering with the African Braille Center and the Kiliminjaro Blind Trust to provide instruction in braille literacy and distribute Perkins Braillers® to schools, agencies and outreach centers for the blind.

A student completes a classroom assignment on a Perkins Brailler, South Africa

While Perkins Braillers are made of the highest quality components and are known as the sturdiest braille writing machines available, they periodically need repairs. Especially in regions of dust and high humidity, the heavy use of scarce braillers takes a toll. 

Thus, Perkins conducts periodic brailler repair training programs for African-owned businesses in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. We also have established an infrastructure for a brailler repair network throughout East Africa. 

Download a brochure on Perkins Brailler service, repair and training in Africa (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Expanding Access in Asia

In addition to our headquarters in Watertown, Massachusetts, we operate brailler assembly plants in South Africa and India. Our work in India is particularly active through our partnership with Worth Trust, which sells and repairs braillers for Perkins throughout Asia. 

Generous donor support has enabled us to donate more than 100 braillers to schools in China. We have reseller partners in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan who provide Perkins Products throughout the region.

Download a brochure to learn more about our work in China.

Expanding Access in Central and Eastern Europe

Perkins has recently expanded activities to promote braille literacy in Central and Eastern Europe. We currently have reseller partners in Poland, Austria and Greece, and seek to increase partnerships in Eastern Europe.

Expanding Access in Latin America

Through our resellers in Brazil and several nongovernmental organizations, we disseminate the Perkins Brailler throughout Latin America. Over the past few years alone, we have provided more than 1,000 braillers throughout the region. We have also donated more than 650 braillers to schools through funding provided by international nongovernmental organizations. In addition, Perkins conducts brailler repair training classes for local repair specialists. 

For more information on braille literacy products, please contact Laura Matz at Laura.Matz@perkins.org.