Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, is not just a place steeped in history, as this is where Helen Keller's teacher Ann Sullivan taught and Helen herself visited many times. It is not just a special school for "blind" kids. It is a place that teaches and nurtures all that come in contact with its community. Whether it is a visually impaired elderly person home bound that has audio books on tape delivered to his/her door or a child with multiple disabilities that learns to walk, talk, read, write, explore the community, get a job, enjoy sports and clubs and grow to become a productive, happy, healthy adult or a young parent with a newborn baby who has just learned his/her child is blind who comes seeking knowledge and finds loving, caring support and hope for a bright future, Perkins is a place of friends, community and inspiration.

I can attest for these things personally as I am a visually impaired adult who has used the Perkins library to supply me with hours of reading through large print and audio books. My visually impaired, autistic son has been attending the Perkins School for the Blind since he was 3, and even before that he received outreach services as an infant from Perkins. After just learning of my son's diagnoses, Perkins provided a wonderful teacher of the visually impaired to come work with my son at our home when he was only 18 months old. This teacher also had a multi disabled child and her and I quickly became friends and she is still 16 years later a great source of knowledge and support for me. My son has now paraded through all the programs at the school from preschool to secondary (high school). He has accomplished so very much over the years. He has gone from a 3-year-old who was not toilet trained and eating no solid food to a 16-year-old who will eat most anything you put in front of him with gusto, is toilet trained, has 2 jobs (one off and one on campus), is on the school swim team, wrestling team and in the spring the track team. He travels independently around campus. My husband and I have learned from, shared with and become life-long friends with fellow parents and staff at Perkins. It will be a bittersweet day for all of us when our son graduates from this place, but I know Perkins will always be part of our world in some way forever.

Over the years, we have personally donated dollars, as well as my husband's accounting practice, we know are well spent and help to improve the life's of many people. We donate our time and expertise to help organize and make school social events a success for staff, parents, and students. This is an organization you can confidently support in so many ways knowing without a doubt that you are helping many truly special children and families.

I am a volunteer at Perkins School for the Blind and a social work educator. It truly is a pleasure and a privilege to be a volunteer at such a welcoming and valuable organization where the staff, programs, and projects exemplify the organization's important mission. Perkins is notable for the effective outreach it does to educate the larger community through its Samuel P. Hayes Research Library and Archives and in other ways. For example, this focus on educating the larger community has enabled me to bring my social work students to Perkins for a highly educational tour and lecture that Perkins staff so generously give us each year. As a volunteer, I also have been provided with an excellent American Sign Language course. Therefore, being involved with Perkins enriches my students' and my own learning in countless ways. I sincerely thank all the dedicated people at Perkins for whom I have volunteered or by whom my students and I have been educated over past years, and I look forward to future years.

When I recently attended an event at Perkins, I was so impressed by the kindness of the staff and volunteers. The commitment Perkins has not only to serving the visually impaired, but also to educating the wider community of families and supporters, is truly one of a kind.

I have seen firsthand the good Petkins does for both its students & the community. If I could pick a 2 non-profits to contribute to, one would be St Jude's & the other would be Perkins.

I have been volunteering at Perkins for over 8 years . There are so many great and varied opportunities that you be involved with and it all matters so much. Last spring, I worked on helping
the seniors get their class trip funded and they all had such a great time! !

I have volunteered at Perkins for forty years.
Beginning in 1972 in the Secondary Education Program with students learning independent living skills.
The students receive focused academics, social activities, and athletics designed for their skills, talents, and interests.
Perkins provides a wide array of programs that bring a preschool student into adulthood.
Each volunteer experience a have had, taught me to appreciate the Perkins staff and their abilities to understand the students and give individual instruction.

I have enjoyed my time with the Perkins students and continue volunteering at the school

Perkins does wonderful work. Every time I go to visit I cannot believe the work that is done. The respect that is shown to the client as well as the learning that goes on.

I can't say enough about Perkins School for the Blind!! The minute you walk on campus you can feel the love and compassion! They are a dedicated team of professionals who truly love what they do. My grandson attended Perkins for 10+ years & flourished receiving physical, occupational, speech & music therapies. His life was enriched by the amazing staff at Perkins who helped him continuously progress & experience a joyful life, despite his multiple disabilities. Even after his passing, the staff showed our family a overwhelming presence of support & shared stories & fond remembrances of working with him. I will forever be grateful for this remarkable school & all they do to help their students with education, confidence & skills to realize their potential and lead full, happy lives!

Our daughter, Ellen, was a victim of the 1964 Rubella epidemic. She was blind, deaf, needed heart surgery and had learning obstacles. But she has always had a "can do" personality which has served her well. She was evaluated by staff at Perkins on her 4th birthday and admitted to their Deaf-Blind program. All of our dealings over more than 47 years with everyone at this fantastic school has far exceeded anything we could have dreamed of. Presently she lives independently (with much help from Perkins staff) and has been employed at the Marshall's for more than 20 years. We are forever indebted to this outstanding facility.

Perkins "Blind New World Campaign" has spread information and inspiration by their videos, educational questions and their Blog site for anyone effected by blindness.

Seedlings is an organization that is committed to making braille materials affordable for early braille readers, and it would be difficult for me to expose my students to braille without them. Schools can purchase books far below the cost of production and families can afford to have a literature rich environment in the home. They provide two free books each year to each student throught their Angels program, and my students look forward every year to filling out their "Wish List". This is a great organization founded by a parent that has had a sustaining impact on the education of braille readers.

Perkins is an incredible school where students are given and individualized program to become as successful and independent as they can. I volunteer in the Assistive Devices Center. It is an incredible department. Here the team come up with solutions that making learning more accessible for a child with multiple disabilities. We are so fortunate to have this school here in Massachusetts.

the school has changed from student focused too money focused. They seem to be banking on the famous name to carry them instead of doing right by students and staff

I have had a lot of experience with this nonprofit especially since i am a Perkins graduate. additionally, I strongly support the work that they do with respect to getting folks who are visually impaired into employment. The education that I received at Perkins was sufficient enough for me to attend college and graduate school.

They perform great work for vision challenged people and continue the Helen Keller legacy with high integrity.

I've driven past and heard the Perkins School for the Blind name for years and I know my family has donated over the years. There are billboards along certain routes I take, even out in the Worcester area. But I have to admit that for a longtime, I thought it was a really cool school for blind children. Then recently, I learned about teachers in Central Massachusetts being trained by Perkins staff to use the same teaching methods used in Watertown in our communities. These teachers are so thankful for the knowledge Perkins is bringing. The reach is huge, way outside Massachusetts. So I decided to write this review to simply let others know that what they do in Watertown is great but there reach is far greater, impacting kids all over. Keep up the good work, Perkins!

Having grown up in the Greater Boston area, I knew of Perkins School for the Blind and was aware of their reputation. But after working with Perkins as a consultant, I gained a greater understanding of the organization’s work and the positive impact it has not only locally but across the country and throughout the world. As a result of my professional experience with Perkins, I was inspired earlier this year to participate in a fundraiser to raise money for their mission and ran a 5K blindfolded (guided by wife). I was proud to have raised over $1,200 to support their mission because I have seen firsthand what they are doing and want to be sure they can continue their important work.

Perkins is amazing! They are so organized and helpful they really are doing great things. They host really amazing events and provide so much support to their faculty and students.

I attended a holiday concert at Perkins School this past year and was blown away with what is being done at the school. It was wonderful to see and there was a lot of opportunity to learn about the programs they are conducting. Bravo to Perkins for their amazing work and efforts.

Perkins School for the Blind is a truly exceptional organization composed of dynamic educators and awe-inspiring students. I have the distinct honor of volunteering with Perkins and I have been deeply touched by the passion and capability of those that serve its mission of optimizing the life of children and young adults who are blind or deaf-blind.

I moved to Watertown 15 months ago and looked for a place to volunteer. I certainly found it, the Perkins School for the Blind. The volunteer office was wonderful, working with my schedule and my past experiences. I now volunteer in the library (I love books), I assist the secondary education liaison officer (I am a retired high school teacher), and I also work in
the Infant & Toddler Section (I am a grandfather). It is most rewarding and challenging too.
The work they do at Perkins is amazing and I can see it and participate in it at the Infant & Toddler Section working with vision-impaired children. But all you have to do is visit the campus to see success at work at Perkins. Teenagers going to class, often on their own, and becoming independent and responsible young adults. Perkins works and succeeds!

They really care about making life meaningful for children and adults who are visually impaired.

Always heard good things about Perkins. I know that the staff are dedicated and volunteers are awesome !!

I began volunteering at Perkins three years ago and have had an extraordinary experience...each and every member of the staff are truly gifted with great compassion, patience, kindness and knowledge...a beautiful facility filled to the brim with positive can-do energy

Excellent and thoughtful programming. Have expanded very intelligently from their original mission. We e have supported Perkins for many years. We support the school because of what they do and how they do it, we do not have family members or friends who have participated in their services and programs.

The education that Perkins School for the Blind offers is unique and transformative. My son is a student in the deaf-blind program and is thriving. His first accomplishment was to learn to communicate via a combination of sign language and speech technology. Now that he has access to communication, he is better able to tackle his academic work. Children also need to play. The staff at Perkins have encouraged my son to take risks, to learn to roller skate, to ride a bike and to navigate the greater world with confidence. My son is happy, he is learning and he is growing--all thanks to the wonderful programs at Perkins.

I began volunteering at Perkins approximately 1 year ago and my experience has been nothing but positive and uplifting. The students and alumni that I've interacted with are truly inspirational; you walk away knowing that you met someone amazing and feeling that you can overcome most obstacles in life. The staff members also make volunteering at Perkins a gratifying experience, they are friendly, knowledgeable, and committed to the very special students that Perkins attracts.

At the Perkins School, students don't just learn how to survive in this huge, overwhelming world we live in, rather they learn how to become well-rounded, confident and productive members of their community. From their charismatic concerts to their achingly beautiful artwork to their amazing musical productions, the students at Perkins never cease to impress and inspire. Such is the standard of education set by the school's administration.

Perkins International does not sweep into countries with a short-term solution at hand. Instead, the international division at Perkins builds local capacity and empowers local communities to develop long term sustainable educational services. In this way, Perkins is able to have a meaningful impact in 98 countries across the globe. The dedicated staff at Perkins and the incredibly supportive Board are constantly developing creative solutions to impossible problems.

It is rare that one finds a non-profit that is so well run both at a domestic and international level.

As a former student and later a former teacher at Perkins, I was impressed by the emphasis which the school has placed on the creation of educational programs which served specific and varied needs of each individual student. Now, as a current donor to Perkins, I am greatly impressed by the on-going efforts being made to keep up with and instruct students in current and upcoming technologies, as well as the current planning and execution of the job transition program for individual Perkins students and other young blind and deaf-blind people.

Perkins’ exemplary services and strategies impact more than 500,000 individuals each year in the United States and 67 countries across the globe. Perkins' experience, expertise and commitment are demonstrated through continuous expansion and improvement of research capacity and on-line and in person education, training and technical assistance programs, including:
• Early intervention services for infants and toddlers and
education services for school- age children;
• Teaching literacy through braille;
• Professional development and curricular resources;
• Parent training and instruction;
• Technology advancement and use of accessible
technologies;
• Community outreach and partnerships; and
• International programs.

Perkins is one of the best managed nonprofits in the world. It has an excellent and dedicated staff, board and committed volunteers, innovative programming and most importantly, a sense of family and a big heart.

As a business leader in the Boston area, I am involved with many non-profits. While there are many important causes, seldom do you encounter one with such a history and such a solid institution. Perkins School for the Blind was home to Hellen Keller for a while but today that same kind of one on one care is reaching 1000's of blind and deaf blind individuals throughout the world. The school itself is a wonderful landmark in Watertown, Massachusetts with its histroric buildings and campus landscape. It is a perfect setting for the development of the lucky students that can actually live on campus or have access to its many services. Perkins, however, has moved onto much larger horizons. They are effectively leveraging their skills with blind and deaf blind individuals to help school districts across the US and reaching out all across the globe to help children and adults with vision handicaps. They do this with professionalism and compassion but it is their commitment and the commitment of their supporters that is truly remarkable.

I am a donor, but, more importantly, a parent. My son attended the Perkins Outreach Program for many years and it was so important for him to be with other students who were visually impaired. The staff is AMAZING and the people who direct the Outreach Program are totally invested in the students. My son is 22 and still talks about his experiences with Outreach.
My husband and I are also corporators and we have served on different committees over the years. Perkins is always thinking ahead and they have implemented a strategic plan that will help their students find jobs and live independently. The organization is solid and a truly wonderful place!!!!

We came to know Perkins when our blind, multiply handicapped son was three, and were in the first wave of families seeking assistance under new laws requiring special education programs. Perkins provided wonderful services even though we were living 130 miles away. When he was 7, he became a boarder during the week, and prospered under the care and creative programs developed by the school. He is now 43, and is able to live a life that we could not have imagined when he was was young. One of his teachers went on to become a dean of a school of education, but is still part of our lives. She comes to stay with us for one week each year, and is a special "buddy" to our son, and a continuing resource and inspiration for his parents. The expansion of Perkins' reach internationally is having a profound effect world-wide. Through Perkins, one of us was able to make a presentation to a school for the blind in Beijing that was arranged by Perkins to demonstrate the impact of engaged parents' groups. Steve Rothstein has exported the "Perkins Effect" to a world wide constituency,

I know Perkins through the context of friends who work there and as a volunteer in the Assistive Device Center. Perkins really knows what it's doing, knows its population and knows how to channel energy in meaningful ways!

Perkins is dedicated to helping those who need so much help. This beautiful campus provides a home and safe place to children to recieve the care and education they deserve. As a local resident, I attended one of their public outreach programs: the fall festival. Here I learned about their mission and how they get this done while adding every bit of dignity and normalcy to those they help and their families. I also sometimes walk the campus with my dog while being greeted by friendly staff and most importantly kids that understand that they matter and live life accordingly. This helped me appreciate how unique this place is and what a wonderful service they provide to the community.

As an intern from Boston Latin school, I have been working for Perkins’s summer recreation program for the past five weeks. I assist with organizing afternoon activities for the secondary (adolescent) students and have immensely enjoyed getting to know the kids, observing how the school operates, and consequently gaining a new perspective on life.

First, let me say that the kids are incredibly fortunate to have a vast array of recreational activities in which they can partake. The choices for the afternoon range from sports (soccer, wiffle ball, biking, swimming) to music (karaoke, "Name That Tune," radio show) to art (painting, chalk-art, tye-dying) to really anything else you can think of (water park, smoothie-making, beauty night). In addition to these regular "blocks," the kids take part in a lot of out-of-camp trips. We've already gone to a carnival in Lexington, fireworks in Newton, sailing in East Boston, golfing in Lowell, and on the long-awaited trip to Canobie Lake Park! Also, a couple Fridays ago was the annual "campout," where the students made s'mores, told stories, and slept in tents right on campus. Since it was practically 100 degrees out, only three kids committed to the whole night in a tent, but it was a really cool experience nevertheless.

Although most of my time is spent helping the kids kick balls or hold paintbrushes, I’ve gotten to see firsthand the interactions between staff and students, as well as the facilities of the school. First, the Perkins campus is both beautiful and practical. To be honest, if it weren't for the Braille labels on most surfaces and the handicap-accessible walkways, I wouldn't have known, at first glance, that Perkins School was for the blind. Sure, there are nuances in the facilities that accommodate people with disabilities (the pool is warmer than most and is raised off the floor so kids can't fall in, some of the dinner plates have special rails to prevent food from spilling, and even the toilet paper in the bathrooms is pre-cut into little squares), but it's clear that the goal of the school is to make its students as independent as possible. Every day, the kids in my cottage are expected to walk by themselves to their six summer classes, clear the tables after they eat, and sometimes even do their own laundry.

I've gone through quite a perspective change since my first day at Perkins. I remember feeling, initially, such a sense of hopelessness after seeing all the kids struggle with their blindness and other disabilities. I thought about all of the things that these kids could NOT do, about the poor parents who probably haven't seen their kids in months, and about all the instructors who, despite working day in and day out to try to help these kids, may never see true results. There is certainly a level of sadness that overcomes me each time I walk through the Perkins front door, but I've learned to put that aside and focus more on the immense possibility that the school offers these children. The curriculum challenges them academically, while the staff members work hard to provide a safe environment where the kids can have fun.

Every day, I am amazed by the students' adaptability, optimism, and patience. Sometimes, I myself will be the clueless or clumsy one (on my first day, I accidentally splattered red paint all over myself and the floor), and can't help but smile when the kids outdo me in sports or music. More importantly, I have become so much more aware of my own privileges and am trying to channel that awareness into a more positive outlook on life.

The first student I met at Perkins is a kindhearted, spunky boy named Brendan. I remember supervising him at the "water park" and being surprised when he squirted me with a water gun (not because I got wet, but because this kid had incredibly good aim for someone with partial vision). Turns out Brendan has many talents --- when I went swimming with him last week, he beat me in both our breath-holding competition and freestyle race, and he was able to pick up rings that I had thrown to the bottom of the 12-foot-deep pool in a matter of seconds. Patient and instructive, Brendan also gave me a crash course on how to read Braille during one of our water park hangouts last week.

I have also been lucky to meet Mikolai, possibly the nicest and most optimistic person at Perkins. Every day he greets me with a friendly "What's up?" and tells me all about his day. The first time I met him was when I was playing soccer with the kids. By the end of our game, Mikolai (who is completely blind and had never played soccer before) was better with the ball than I was --- it took him about ten seconds to orient himself with the ball each time it stopped near his feet, but once he found it, he would take make these massive kicks that sent me running each time.
My respect for Mikolai sky-rocketed when we were in the living room listening to "Suit and Tie" on the radio, and he said "I can play that." Sure enough, he got on the piano and proceeded to play all the right chords. Then, I turned the radio off and asked him to play a bunch of songs ranging from rap to classical, and he knew how to play them all! Not only the chords, but the melody as well. Turns out he is a DJ for Perkins's radio station, too. I went home that day feeling really humbled.

These are only a couple of the adolescents with whom I work at Perkins. But it's safe to say that ALL the kids there are so friendly, talented, and unique, and I’ve formed connections with them that I know I’ll never forget. I’m actually dreading tomorrow, my last day of working with summer recreation, because I’m terrible with goodbyes. I hope that I have improved the kids’ lives in some way or another, because working with them has definitely improved mine.

Isabel Alexander
Boston Latin School '14

Our daughter attends Perkins I. The Deaf Blind program. They have done so much for our daughter, as well as our entire family. Our daughter faces many challenges. At Perkins they k is how to recognize those challenges and are willing to try anything to help her succeed. Not only do they work with her on academics, but she also receives all of her PT, OT, SLT AND O&M therapies there. They work on life skills and social skills, a much needed part of life. They tach and allow her to be the best version of herself.

I am so thankful we are able to be a part of Perkins. The undeniably dedicated staff deserve the highest ratings.

My daughter began receiving services from Perkin's infant/toddler program when she was 6 months old. She transitioned into Perkin's deaf-blind program after she turned 3 years old and continues to attend now that she is 7 years old. Initially, we expected her to learn coping skills to manage in a world with limited sight and hearing. Instead they have found ways to teach her how to use and maximize the sight and hearing that she has. She is now tracking, choosing and identifying objects. Which seems like a miracle at times.

As the teachers, aids and therapist continue to teach her how to access the world around her, her curiosity grows. Through their unique and individualized education, our daughter's curiosity is nourished and cultivated. This brings us so much hope for her future. We are so blessed to have Perkins in our lives. Our little one knows it too. She is always so happy to go to school in the morning and begs for more at the end of the day. Thankfully, the staff does a great job of training us so that we can carryover many of the techniques learned at school at home.

I can't thank Perkins School for the Blind enough for seeing our child for all the possibilities that she has.

The Perkins School for the Blind has taken care of my daughter Elizabeth since she was 3 years old. She suffers from CP, is deaf/blind and suffers from a long list of conditions that makes her medically fragile. She has gone to school every day she can and loves it from the moment she gets into her wheelchair and on that bouncy bus to each person who greets her throughout the day. She has made such progress at school. Not only does the staff at Perkins strive to unlock the student in every child, they help the families every step of the way. This help extends far beyond the parents to siblings, grandparents and any friend or family member who has an interest in the success of this person.

They took the time to understand her needs, her spirit and her interest from the first day she "rolled" onto campus. The Perkins school is a place to learn, the share and to grow a child to a person. Who can function in their own way and enjoy each day with their voice heard and their presence known.

My daughter attends Perkins Deafblind program. We have been involved with Perkins through Deafblind and Infant Toddler program since 2008. Alexis has really thrived with the educational program at Perkins. We appreciate the care and services she receives.

My son attends Perkins School for the Blind and we couldn't be happier with the care he receives. The teachers and staff are knowledgable and experts in their fields - they are helping him become the best he can be. But more than that, they really truly love what they do and care greatly for the children they work with. He loves going to school and is thriving there!

Perkins has been a tremendous support for our family. We were referred to Perkins when our daughter was born and we were told she was blind and deaf. At one month old teachers from Perkins came into our home to educate us about deafblindness . They provided a tremendous amount of support to our family and taught us how to play, teach, and interact with our daughter when we were scared and uncertain of what to do.

Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, I've donated to Perkins. The "runners" enthusiasm is contagious. The awareness they bring to such a wonderful organization is a tribute to them and Perkins. I know that I will always be a supporter. Thank you (Robyn Q) for making me more aware. PM

I guess I'm sort of a volunteer or maybe just general public but I have had the pleasure to work with many staff members over the last 6 years and run on the Perkins marathon and BlindFold Teams. I’ve never met such passionate employees with such love and kind hearts for the students at Perkins. I’m happy I have made connections with the school and look forward to doing more with them in the future.

My daughter has been a student at the Perkins School for the past 14 years. She loves school. The staff: teachers, clinicians, teaching assistants and residential staff, are incredible. Their dedication, patience and their respect for each individual student is overwhelming. I am fortunate that I am able to volunteer in many ways there. Volunteering gives me an opportunity to interact with my daughter's peers and to participate in events like field trips. I help out wherever I am needed. I have also broadened my volunteering by working in the Assistive Device Center. Here I am able to help staff construct items for teachers and therapists and parents so individuals with disabilities will learn, explore and accomplish tasks independently.

I worked in the cottages with a student named Tom during the week and had a wonderful experience. Whether it was shooting hoops in the gym and seeing the delight on Tom's face as he scored a basket, or simply listening to music and helping him with his daily routine, I really connected with Tom and was able to appreciate what he has to go through. It was definitely a valuable personal experience that opened my eyes to the troubles kids like Tom battle with every day and to this day it has shaped my outlook on the world, motivating me to seek volunteer work in other places as well. The atmosphere at Perkins was warm and welcoming and I was treated cordially and respectfully. I would definitely recommend volunteering to anyone who is interested.

it is a good school however there is bad in every good situation. The residential staff make such minimal money and are treated so poorly. The residential management are so abusive to the staff and so disrespectful.

For the past 10 years I have been fortunate enough to perform with the students at Perkins in celebration of the coming of Summer and the changing seasons. Without question it is the one performance of the year I look forward to most. I am a full-time performer and nothing compares to the enthusiasm the students bring to their performance and the support the staff provide to enable this annual event to take place. The students are tasked with memorizing music, staging, and dance, and they rise to the challenge with such enthusiasm that we may have to add an extra performance to accommodate the audience size. The Revels staff has fostered and nurtured long term relationships with the Perkins students even after they graduate. This is truly a school worthy of generous support. What counts is not how much you give, but how much is left after you give!

I have been a volunteer reader in the Clive W. Lacy Recording Studio of the Braille and Talking Book Library at Perkins School for the Blind for more than five years. It is a wonderful place to work with an energetic staff devoted to turning out top notch recordings and providing volunteers with great in service skills opportunities. I am inspired by the people I work with. I cherish my time with other volunteers and with staff and students.

I have helped organize and produce arts and music events with Revels for over 25 years and I honestly have to say that working with the exceptional staff, faculty and students at Perkins School for the Blind - for 10 years and counting - have provided some of the most rewarding moments in my professional career. Their vibrant music program is led by incredibly capable and devoted staffers who make the kids sound like angels every year. Our annual collaboration, a concert of traditional song, dance and music celebrating the arrival of Spring, has become a highlight of our season and a showcase for the talented Perkins students taking part. The programs we do at Perkins are truly inspiring for everyone who attends and partakes. Bravo to Perkins - They truly deserve to be at the top of the Top-Rated Nonprofits List!

As a freelance photographer who has been on campus many times, I'm always amazed at the wonderful work done by the staff at the Perkins school! They are truly pros at their profession. Their patience and sincerity really stick out to me as they as they teach and communicate with their students. I always come away more humbled than before the assignment.

Perkins School for the Blind is an amazing place for education and services that touch people all over the world. Their work with blind, visually impaired and deaf students is inspirational and embodied by their greatest alumna Helen Keller. The foundation provided for her is still a huge part of the work of Perkins today. The faculty and staff are devoted to the success of each and every child - it is truly life changing!

Perkins lives by its mission to provide education and services that build productive, meaningful lives for children and adults around the world who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired. Our 2010 strategic plan laid out four broad objectives, to prepare our students, to reach new populations who are currently unserved or underserved, to expand internationally (and nationally), and to build new partnerships. Every decision and initiative is tied back to one of these four broad objectives, and in the six years that I have been on the Board we have made significant progress in each area. From the youngest infant to a senior dealing with vision loss for the first time, Perkins is there to make a difference. I have served on a number of non-profit boards over the years, and the work I do for Perkins is by far the most rewarding and exciting.

This is an astounding place that provides services to children and young adults with blindness and severe vision impairments. Many of these kids have a number of other issues as well, it Perkins is able of accommodate them and provide care and education in an incredible supportive environment that prepares graduates to have full and productive lives. Perkins not only sees possibilities, but achieves them! From my first visit there, I was overwhelming impressed with the truly wonderful and often amazing work done there. It is inspiring, one only wishes to have more time and opportunity to help this I wonderful community!

The Perkins School for the Blind touches hundreds of thousands of lives around the world. The work of the school helps those with low and no vision locally, nationally and internationally. Direct educational services and teacher training programs along with the production and distribution of the Perkins Brailler and other adaptive technology products allow Perkins to transform lives through literacy. Being involved at Perkins makes my days brighter and much more fulfilling. The teachers, volunteers and students are inspirational.

Volunteering at Perkins is such a rewarding experience. I have been volunteering for over seven years and each and every time I have learned something new. Being around the students, with various abilities and disablities, always reminds you what is really important and to keep thinking outside of the box. There are so many different opportunities available and Mike and Linda, in the volunteer office, work hard to match your attributes to the need. You will enjoy your time volunteering at Perkins.

Working at the Perkins School has not only taught me a tremendous amount about working with children and young adults with disabilities but also about an incredible amount about myself and given me the confidence to take on new chammenges. Last year I decided to make a short documentary film about the senior class trip to Mexico, with the goal of shining a light on the students incredible courage and grace in the face of tackling everday adversities. The experience of making the film and learning more about each student's individual story made it very clear to me that coming to Perkins was the major turning point in their lives, as they finally had the opportunity to be educated properly, make social connections and feel truly accepted for the first time.

Perkins School for the Blind is a wonderful place to volunteer. There are so many different types of opportunities that you can experience and become involved with. Mike and Linda, in the volunteer office, are very pleasant and informative. They set you up to succeed and want you to enjoy being involved with the task and Perkins. The atmosphere and staff and everyone involved with the school are amazing.

When I was in graduate school studying to be a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, I would often turn to Perkins School for the Blind's website for information. I found it to be an invaluable resource! A few months ago, I was introduced to Paths to Literacy -- a joint venture between Perkins and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This website has a section where teachers can share classroom strategies, resources, and technology information. I rely on Perkins to keep me up-to-date on the education of the visually impaired and appreciate all that they do for the field of visual impairment.

I have had many interactions with Perkins over the years. I actually worked a summer program in the early 1990s and was so impressed with the staff and facility. More recently I spoke at a parent conference organized by Perkins. I also did a 1.5 day workshop on nondriving and made a webinar on this topic for the Perkins webinar series. I use Perkins resources all the time and share them with future teachers of children with visual impairment. Perkins is a great organization!

Years ago I found out about the "Talking Book" library at Perkins School for the Blind .I contacted them immediately and they changed my father's life forever.He was legally blind and his greatest pleasure was reading. I ordered Histories, Biographies.Poetry ,every subject he was interested in. His reading took up most of his day until he passed away at the age of 96.Countless hours of pleasure I thank the Perkins school for. Now, I am the recipient of their new digital books.I shall be forever in their debt for bringing me this manner of enjoying my books.My donations to them are but a pittance compared to that which was given to me and my beloved father. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.Naomi Fox

Perkins is an organization that wholistically looks at blindness and low vision and provides more than just education to their students. They also provide resources for the disability community innovative technology and contribute to the community in which they serve. Their school for children who are deaf-blind is a classic example of seeing a need and meeting it. Their outreach programs prepare students for a life in the world by making them learn real life skills and explore ways to provide experiences that any child would, only in a way they can experience it that is meaningful to them. The personnel and leadership are first class and provide the best possible learning environment for their students and everyone who comes in contact with them.