Educational Leadership Program (ELP) participants travel from across the globe to take part in an immersive education experience. Graduates become leaders in their home countries—expanding educational opportunities for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities wherever they work.
For 100 years, the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program has trained educators in 96 countries to help children with multiple disabilities learn and thrive. Today, all around the world, our graduates are doing just that.
The goal of the Educational Leadership Program is to prepare teams of highly-trained leaders, united in a supportive global network, who lead and create teacher training programs and excellent educational services for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities. Our global impact began in 1920 when Perkins School for the Blind established the first Teacher Training Program, and the ELP continues that tradition of sharing advanced training, educational strategies and real-life experience in 96 countries. Today, as we celebrate 100 years of impact for children, hundreds of ELP graduates are working around the world to ensure that every child with visual impairment and multiple disabilities receives a quality education.
What to expect from the Educational Leadership Program
Program participants attend lectures at Perkins School for the Blind’s in Watertown, Massachusetts; observe and teach in our classrooms; and assist students in their residences.
TheELP curriculum includes academic courses led by Perkins’ experts and other noted professionals in the field, as well as hands-on learning in classrooms and living quarters.
ELP graduates go on to become leaders and agents of positive change in their home countries — expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for children with visual impairment wherever they work.
Graduates of the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program are making a difference for children today.
Lisa Jacobs Director, Perkins’ Educational Leadership Program“The Educational Leadership Program strives to provide international scholars with the theory and strategies they need to create a world that works for children with multiple disabilities and/or deafblindness in their own country. This is a powerful, supportive network that continues long after completion of the program.”
Meet graduates and learn the history of the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program.
This fall, eleven dedicated professionals from around the globe are participating in the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program. The members of the Class of 2023 will acquire skills and expertise to work toward the biggest goal of all — a world where all children, including those with disabilities, have access to quality education.
Graduates of the Educational Leadership Program achieve amazing things. Together they form a global network of elite educators dedicated to improving the lives of children with visual impairment. Learn more about our ELP alumni by browsing their personal profiles. Search by name, region, specialty or year of graduation.
The history of Perkins School for the Blind’s Educational Leadership Program dates back to the launch of the Teacher Training Program in 1920.
Perkins Shark Tank is part of the ELP experience: an opportunity to design an innovative project, work with a mentor to develop a pitch, and present to investors with the power to turn a big dream into a big change for children.
Perkins School for the Blind
In a country where kids with disabilities were left out of education in the 1950s, one teacher would spend the next 50 years establishing quality programs for students with multiple, complex disabilities and visual impairments.
Perkins-trained teachers return home and train peers, giving even more children access to education.
Teacher training at Perkins changes the outlook of teachers, their peers and school administration.
Seeing Is Believing trains medical professionals and teachers, providing children with vision impairment access to education.
Graduates of the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program are making a difference for children today.
