Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins School for the Blind, founded in 1829 in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving children and young adults who are blind or visually impaired, including those with CVI and deafblindness. It operates schools, the Perkins Library, the CVI Center, the Perkins Innovation Center, and international educator-training programs reaching 42 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1829
- HeadquartersWatertown, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Perkins School for the Blind does
Perkins School for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1829 in Watertown, Massachusetts, and the first school for the blind in the United States. It serves children and young adults (birth through age 22) who are blind or visually impaired, including those with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), deafblindness, and multiple disabilities. Core service lines include on-campus day and residential schooling (Early Learning Center, Lower School, Secondary, Deafblind School with the world's largest concentration of CHARGE syndrome students), the CVI Center (assessment, training, and the CVI Now community), Perkins Library (a Library of Congress NLS network library serving 22,500+ patrons), the Perkins Innovation Center (DisabilityTech acceleration), and the Adaptive Design Center (custom adaptive equipment). Its international footprint spans 42 countries via the Educational Leadership Program (training educators in 98 countries) and Perkins International Academy (21 countries, 4 regions).
The technology portfolio includes the Perkins Brailler (the most widely used mechanical Braille writer globally), the SMART Brailler (electronic Braille writer with digital connectivity), and the new Perkins Braille Bloom (a $300 digital companion device launching May 2026 that converts Braille input to on-screen text in real time via USB or Bluetooth). Proprietary clinical assets include The Perkins CVI Protocol, a trademarked assessment tool for evaluating Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment in children, and a CVI Interventions Library of evidence-based strategies.
Revenue mechanics combine donations and grants (primary), hardware product sales (Braille Bloom, SMART Brailler, Perkins Brailler), professional services and training, and tiered paid CVI Assessment Services ($2,500 comprehensive / $750 file review). Perkins Library services are free to eligible patrons. Distribution is multi-channel: direct on-campus schooling, a national library network, international partnerships, online learning via Perkins Academy, and corporate-supported innovation programming through the Perkins Innovation Center. The organization employs 501-1,000 staff and is accredited by NEASC.
Perkins School for the Blind firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Perkins School for the Blind
- Legal name
- Perkins School for the Blind
- Website
- https://perkins.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1829
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Perkins School for the Blind, founded in 1829 in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving children and young adults who are blind or visually impaired, including those with CVI and deafblindness. It operates schools, the Perkins Library, the CVI Center, the Perkins Innovation Center, and international educator-training programs reaching 42 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Perkins School for the Blind industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (6117), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching) (EDAJAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Virtual Special Education & Related Services (IEP Delivery Online) (EDAJADAG), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI), Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI), Inclusive Education (Disability, Gender Equity, Marginalized Learners) (BPADAKAI), Special Education / Intervention & Differentiated Instruction Content Development (EDAGAKAO)
Keywords
Where Perkins School for the Blind is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Watertown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Perkins School for the Blind business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Primary funding source from charitable donations and foundation grants supporting the school's mission and programs.
- Product Sales: Revenue from sale of assistive technology products including Perkins Brailler, SMART Brailler, and Braille Bloom devices.
- Services and Training: Professional development, training programs, and consulting services for educators and professionals working with individuals with visual impairments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free library services for eligible patrons |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Perkins School for the Blind product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Perkins School for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that delivers educational programs, professional training, and accessible library services for children and young adults (birth through age 22) who are blind or visually impaired, including those with CVI and deafblindness. It complements these services by manufacturing and selling iconic assistive Braille technology products (Perkins Brailler, SMART Brailler, and the upcoming Braille Bloom) and offering specialized CVI assessment and training services for educators and families.
Product overview
Perkins School for the Blind offers a comprehensive suite of educational programs, assessment tools, and accessible technology products serving children with visual impairments, CVI, and deafblindness from birth through age 22. The portfolio includes the Perkins Brailler family (classic Brailler and SMART Brailler), the new Perkins Braille Bloom digital companion device ($300), and The Perkins CVI Protocol for standardized assessment. Core programs span on-campus schooling (Early Learning Center, Lower School, Secondary, Deafblind School) with day and residential options. The CVI Center provides virtual workshops, CVI Assessment Services ($2,500 comprehensive / $750 file review), and the CVI Now online community. International reach includes the Educational Leadership Program (9-month immersive training in 98 countries) and Perkins International Academy operating in 21 countries. Supporting services include Perkins Library (250,000+ titles in accessible formats), Perkins Academy online learning, the Adaptive Design Center, Transition Center, and the Perkins Innovation Center advancing DisabilityTech.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Perkins CVI Protocol℠: An expert evaluation tool designed to help teachers of the visually impaired create a robust, individualized CVI evaluation report with recommendations for students with CVI.
- CVI Now
- Perkins Library
Products and services
- Perkins Braille Bloom A digital companion device connecting the Perkins Brailler to the internet via USB or Bluetooth, converting Braille output to on-screen text in real-time, priced at $300.
- Perkins Brailler The most widely used mechanical Braille writer in the world, designed for learning to read Braille or working on complex math equations.
- The Perkins CVI Protocol An expert evaluation tool designed to help teachers of the visually impaired create a robust, individualized CVI evaluation report with recommendations for students with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment.
- CVI Assessment Services Two evaluation options for students aged 0-22 with suspected or diagnosed CVI: Comprehensive CVI Assessment ($2,500) and Parent Interview and File Review (promotional rate $750).
- Perkins Library Library service circulating over half a million accessible books, newspapers, and publications annually in braille, large print, and digital audio formats to patrons with print disabilities; serves 22,500+ patrons as a network library of the Library of Congress NLS.
- Early Learning Center Educational program for children ages 3 to 6 providing individualized programming with focus on concept development, orientation and mobility, behavior regulation, and friendship building.
- Deafblind School Total Communication educational environment serving students ages 3-22 who are deafblind or deaf with additional disabilities, including the world's largest concentration of students with CHARGE syndrome.
- Educational Leadership Program (ELP) A 9-month immersive education experience (2 months online, 7 months on-campus) training educators in 98 countries to help children with multiple disabilities learn and define their own success.
- Perkins International Academy Training courses providing competency standards for teachers working with children with multiple disabilities, delivered by Perkins-trained experts worldwide in 21 countries across 4 regions.
- Perkins Academy An online learning platform offering on-demand access to creative solutions, proven methods, and practical strategies for teaching children with disabilities, including CVI courses.
- Transition Center Programs and expert resources for students and families navigating the journey from high school to adulthood, including Compass, Life Launch, Navigator, and PathFinder programs.
- Adaptive Design Center Creates and distributes custom-made adaptive equipment and learning materials for classrooms, with itinerant teachers supporting student education across the state and beyond.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1.8 million children reached globally
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Perkins School for the Blind
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Perkins School for the Blind technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Perkins School for the Blind partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)corePerkins Library is a network library of the NLS, providing accessible books and materials to patrons who are blind or have print disabilities. This partnership enables Perkins to distribute NLS materials and expand accessibility services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Perkins School for the Blind competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Perkins School for the Blind social profiles
Digital presencePerkins School for the Blind financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Perkins School for the Blind leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Perkins School for the Blind subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Perkins School for the Blind funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Perkins School for the Blind M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Perkins School for the Blind
What does Perkins School for the Blind do?
Perkins School for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that delivers educational programs, professional training, and accessible library services for children and young adults (birth through age 22) who are blind or visually impaired, including those with CVI and deafblindness. It complements these services by manufacturing and selling iconic assistive Braille technology products (Perkins Brailler, SMART Brailler, and the upcoming Braille Bloom) and offering specialized CVI assessment and training services for educators and families.
Is Perkins School for the Blind a public or private company?
Perkins School for the Blind is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Perkins School for the Blind founded?
Perkins School for the Blind was founded in 1829. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Perkins School for the Blind based?
Perkins School for the Blind is headquartered in Watertown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Perkins School for the Blind make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are product Sales and services and Training.
Does Perkins School for the Blind have an API?
No public API is recorded for Perkins School for the Blind.
What industry is Perkins School for the Blind in?
Perkins School for the Blind's product category is Special Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAKAC, Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching), with a secondary code of EDAJADAG, Virtual Special Education & Related Services (IEP Delivery Online). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.