Children with disabilities rely on adults with the commitment and specialized skills to help them learn. Through our Model Program Approach, with our local partners, we work to transform education systems and support schools to be inclusive and accessible for children with disabilities.
Perkins trains teachers, empowers families, and works with global leaders to help children with disabilities find their place in the world.
Our goal is to rebuild a world that includes the 240 million children with disabilities, anywhere, from the start.
Perkins’ international programs change the landscape of education services to fit children with disabilities. With our local partners we set new standards for what is possible—for children with disabilities and for our world.
For a child with multiple disabilities, the journey to education may begin at home, in an orphanage, in a hospital, in a community program or at school. Perkins starts where children are so that no child is invisible or excluded.
For 100 years, Perkins has been training leaders and educators who change the world for children in almost 100 countries. We provide a wide range of opportunities for professionals and family members to learn how to help children unlock opportunities.
For a child with disabilities to learn and define their own success, families, schools, hospitals, communities and governments must all work together. Perkins sets the standards and builds the networks that sustain and strengthen teaching, learning and community life.
In each country where we work, our goal is to develop a critical mass of Model Programs that can serve as training hubs for other schools – ultimately transforming education systems at the national level.
Together with local collaborators, Perkins aims to expand current deep impact in a few sites to national-level transformation.
Valentina Fernandez Educational Leadership Program, class of 2024“Perkins has this special, special sense of belonging. Everyone does their work, everyone collaborates to do this magical work and [we’re] impacting not just children here on campus, but everywhere in the world.”
Close to home and around the globe, Perkins’ international programs are making a difference for children with disabilities.
The United Nations recognized Perkins’ project in Mexico as a “Good Practice” towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030.
UBS recognizes Perkins President, Dave Power, and Executive Director of International Programs, Katie Holland, for their vision, thought leadership, and innovation towards achieving quality education and reducing inequalities for all.
Perkins’ Model Program Approach was selected among 523 nominations from 97 countries for its innovation, impact, and scalability.
Around the world, Perkins partners with local governments, schools, educators, and families to make learning accessible and inclusive. In 2024, our impact took place on our historic Boston campus and also in schools across 49 countries, reaching 1.2 million children.
Let’s have a conversation! We would love to explore how we can work together in your country. Contact Perkins international programs today.
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