A girl sits at the base of a tree and reads a braille book.

We believe

Every child can learn, and learning is for life.

Every child can learn and has the right to unlock their potential. That’s where we come in. We meet children where they are, in homes, hospitals, orphanages and schools. We help families, teachers, schools and governments see what’s possible, and we share what we’ve learned over the course of our nearly 200-year history: that every person can successfully contribute to their community, given the right support. We change attitudes and unleash possibility. And in doing so, we take one step closer to realizing a shared vision where no child is left behind.

Where it all starts

Our work begins on our Boston campus, where we educate children with multiple disabilities and give their families a sense of hope and community. We’re also a learning lab, an incubator for new ideas addressing the real challenges faced by the children and families we serve. These ideas become best practices, and we share them across New England, the U.S. and around the world to better support children, families, teachers, communities and governments. As the global leader in inclusive education and services, we are always innovating and adapting to reach children and families where they are. Because we know they all have the ability to learn and do great things. They just need someone to believe in them. We do.

Why Perkins?

Teacher and student at desk in classroom looking at workbook

We embrace the Expanded Core Curriculum

All of our educational work is grounded in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), which pairs academics with a focus on independence, assistive technology, work skills, socializing and more to prepare your child to lead their fullest life.

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We take a global approach

Every child means every child. Identifying the world’s most underserved children with multiple disabilities and connecting them to qualified teachers, no matter where they live, is core to our belief system.

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We are helping underserved kids with CVI

We are committed to helping children with the most common and fastest growing cause of childhood blindness see more through diagnosis, teacher training and the right educational approach.

Education is a human right.

Ed Bosso Perkins School for the Blind Superintendent

“We believe in the fundamental human right to an education — that all really means all, that the children and people we serve deserve the highest of expectations and access and inclusion. At Perkins, we break down barriers, and we solve some of the most stubborn issues in the field of education for people who are blind and visually impaired.”

A young girl with pink glasses and a blue bow smiling.

Leading the way for families

CVI Now, a community for families of children with the leading cause of blindness.

Every day we hear from parents who are craving reliable information and advice on CVI — the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the United States. We know families are a child’s greatest advocate — at home, at school, in the doctor’s office, in the community, in life. We know families need support from trusted experts. And families deserve answers and solutions so they can help their children access their world in the very best ways.

That’s why we created CVI Now: to empower parents and children with the knowledge and tools to succeed.

Join the CVI Now Facebook community

It’s a safe, positive space for parents of children with CVI to meet other parents and discuss all the things no one else can truly understand. All resources and information shared are vetted by our CVI team to ensure you have access to the highest quality research and best practices.

SHARE NOW

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Our work

Everything we do is grounded in our mission to help every child and young adult realize their full potential.

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Perkins International

Our mission is global, with Perkins-trained teachers developing programs and services in 93 countries around the world.

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Community Programs

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

Support Perkins

Be a part of #ThePerkinsEffect — make a difference for children who are blind and visually impaired with multiple disabilities.