International Agency for Prevention of Blindness 9 th General Assembly Steven Rothstein, President Dr. Aubrey Webson, Director, Perkins International September 18, 2012

How many children are not in school today because they are blind, visually impaired or deafblind?

There are 6 million children around the world who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired with multiple disabilities. 4.5 million of them do not receive an education.

Perkins’ Background Founded 1829: First U.S. school for the blind. Providing education for 183 years Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan attended. Today, Perkins impacts over 600,000 individuals around the world through a range of services for infants, school- aged children and young adults, and their families and professionals.

67 countries, more than 300+ local implementing partners Focus: Education, Advocacy, Information & Technology & Leadership Development, Braille literacy Approach: work w/ local partners through small grants (training, technical assistance, leadership development) Perkins International Global program: Advance education of children with disabilities who are visually impaired with additional disabilities. Empower families, educators, communities and governments

Capacity Building Perkins partners with 300 schools to: ● Improve teachers’ skills ● Provide direct services ● Promote Braille literacy ● Build coalitions with parents, policy makers and universities Perkins’ Partnerships

Schools and Teachers 50,000 children, families and teachers benefited from Perkins’ international efforts Producing digital & print materials Perkins’ Partnerships

Parents Parents are often the strongest advocates for the rights of their children. Perkins’ Partnerships

Governments Universities 26 university programs in 20+ countries This year, Perkins supported 550 participants in university programs addressing education of children who are blind, or visually impaired with multiple disabilities. Perkins’ Partnerships

Local Organizations Perkins’ Publications Nothing For Us, Without Us Capacity building of local organizations

From Isolation to Community Dominican Republic Dominican Republic example From 10 students to over 400 across the country, including those with multiple disabilities From Isolation to Community

All we see is Possibility…