Overview

Connecting children and families to support services, learning and fun.

We support children with visual impairments and deafblindness and their families, as well as school districts throughout New England. Our Infant-Toddler Program is the first point of contact for every family in Massachusetts following their child’s diagnosis, and we provide them with specialty services, education, guidance and emotional support. Our expert teachers and specialists work virtually and in-person in schools throughout the region. Through our Outreach Short Courses, we provide fun, accessible and educational opportunities to more than 1,200 children of all ages. In everything we do, we strive to help children and families learn, build connections and have some fun with new friends along the way!

A female teacher teaching a male student how to count with their hands

What we do

Community programs for ages birth to young adult.

A young girl and her mother embracing with joy in front of a fountain.

Infant-Toddler
(Ages birth-3)

We provide the educational services and family support every child with a visual impairment or deafblindness needs during the earliest years of development. Our early intervention services are administered in-person, over the phone and online.

Teacher pointing to paper with student

School-age services (Ages 3-22)

Our teachers and deafblind specialists work in schools to help children access their curriculum and incorporate skills like independent living and navigation into their school day.

A young girl sitting at the shore of the water at a beach in the Summer

Outreach
(Ages 7-22)

Outreach offers fun, educational and accessible extracurricular opportunities to public school students who are blind or visually impaired across the U.S.

“Meet Rey”

We work to:

Educate the whole child

We focus on core academics and a disability-specific curriculum that helps students build social, independent living, mobility and other life skills for future success.

Meet families where they are

In school, at home and on campus, we provide children and families with access to one-on-one expertise, group support and the chance to connect with other families.

Help every child as an individual

Every child is unique, and we get that. So we support parents, school districts and medical professionals to meet the needs of every individual child.

A mom holding her young daughter in her lap with a smile on her face.

Our team

Meet the skilled individuals behind Perkins’ Community Programs.

Hear from our community.

Nick Claudio Outreach participant

“Outreach gave me the opportunity to meet lifelong friends who also have visual impairments, learn how to become independent and explore all sorts of fun activities I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.”

Latest news & stories

Our community by the numbers: Behind these statistics are families and friendships.

40 yearsSupporting babies and their families for four decades and counting. 

15+ different coursesSpace Camp, NEVI Winter Ski Camp, employment opportunities – we have so many engaging and educational courses for students.

1,000+ familiesEvery year, our itinerant teachers serve more than 1,000 students, in their schools, across New England.

FAQ’s

Learn more about our Community Programs.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to reach out to their respective funding source prior to attending an Outreach program. Funding for Perkins programs is often available through the state commission for the blind. However, they require that you contact them prior to signing your child up for a program. You can also occasionally find funding through your school district, Lion’s Club charities, church groups or other organizations willing to contribute. If you are unable to secure funding, contact us about full and partial scholarship opportunities for Outreach.

The first step in gaining access to Perkins’ Infant-Toddler services is to enroll your child in Early Intervention through Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health. Complete this referral form and email it to Emily Lowenstein ([email protected]) or Katie Tefft ([email protected])They will be in touch once they receive the new referral. We continue to accept new referrals into our Infant-Toddler program.

Once your initial inquiry has been received, you will be sent an application. This will help us determine who will be accepted. PLEASE NOTE: Completing an application does not guarantee your child’s placement in a program. You will receive communication from Outreach staff regarding an official acceptance, should your child be accepted into a program. For weekend and school vacation short courses, acceptances are made at least two weeks prior to the program.

Get in touch

We’re here to help.

Getting started with our Infant Toddler Program is easy. Start here.

A young girl smiling at the activity that her male teacher is guiding her through at a table.

Explore our school district services.

Our teachers are ready to go where they’re needed most to help kids in need.