Training For Professionals

Perkins' Training and Educational Resources Program offers a variety of conferences, professional development workshops, in-service training, and courses for vision and early intervention professionals, teachers, and other educational services providers. These programs are offered both on and off campus and topics are selected based on needs assessments of targeted groups.

The Perkins Summer Institute is geared toward teachers of the visually impaired (TVI), orientation and mobility (O & M) instructors, counselors, and other professionals who work with children who are blind or visually impaired. The institute is a one-week program of lectures, panel discussions, on-line components and hands-on experience. Graduate credit may be earned in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts - Boston. For more information about training for professionals, visit the Perkins Training Center for a list of upcoming courses and workshops.

Perkins specialists provide training to caregivers including family members, friends and other supportive people involved in an older adult's life.  Group workshops are also available to the staff and volunteers at assistive living centers, nursing homes, senior centers, councils on aging and other community organizations. Visit our Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older Program for information about training for caregivers and professionals.

Perkins provides support to the Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE), which is committed to improving education for students with visual impairments. NERCVE is an established center within the Institute for Community Inclusion, academically affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Boston - New England’s only accredited center for preparing state licensed Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and nationally certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (O&M). For more information, visit http://www.nercve.umb.edu.