Perkins Access

What Perkins Access does

Perkins Access is the digital accessibility services division of Perkins School for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1829 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts. Rather than selling software, Perkins Access delivers digital accessibility consulting, evaluation, and strategy services to organizations seeking WCAG-aligned experiences, alongside educational workshops and transition programs for blind and visually impaired students and their families. The unit also operates the Perkins Innovation Center, an on-campus incubator and community that connects DisabilityTech entrepreneurs, investors (e.g., UM6P Ventures), and accelerators with real users from the deafblind and blind communities for primary research, product feedback, and pilot deployments — Tatum Robotics (deafblind telecommunications) and Cephable (AI accessibility platform) are named startups in the program.

Underlying infrastructure includes an internal accessibility group that maintains the perkins.org site at WCAG 2.2 Level AA and runs ongoing usability testing with people who are blind or have low vision; partnerships with assistive technology vendors (Aira for live visual interpretation, BlindSquare and Kontakt.io for indoor navigation); and access to Perkins International Programs' global network of 223 school collaborations across 42 countries, 54,000+ trained teachers, and Educational Leadership Program alumni in 98 countries.

Revenue is generated through a mix of workshop and program fees (e.g., READY workshop at $100-$120, Summer Connect at $350-$400), tuition for on-campus school programs, charitable donations and planned giving, and fee-based digital accessibility consulting services for enterprise and institutional clients. The business is positioned as both a nonprofit mission organization and a commercial services provider, with strategic backing from the broader Perkins School for the Blind brand (recognized by UBS Global Visionary and UNESCO SDG4 Good Practices) and flagship partnerships including the Museum of Science, Boston.

Name

Perkins Access

Legal name

Perkins School for the Blind

Website

https://perkinsaccess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1829

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Perkins Access is the digital accessibility services arm of Perkins School for the Blind, providing WCAG-aligned consulting, evaluation, and resources to organizations, while running the Perkins Innovation Center that connects DisabilityTech startups with blind and deafblind users for product testing and ecosystem development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Accessibility Consulting

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN), Assistive Input & Mobility Access (Alternative Keyboards/Mice, Switch Access, Eye Gaze) (EDAFAKAH), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)

Keywords

• Digital accessibility consulting
• WCAG compliance services
• Accessibility audit services
• Disability inclusion advisory
• Assistive technology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Watertown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Educational Services: Tuition and fees for on-campus educational programs including school enrollment, early learning, lower school, secondary education, and deafblind programs.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from donors including one-time donations, monthly giving, planned giving, estate gifts, IRA charitable rollovers, and corporate partnerships.
3. Workshop and Program Fees: Registration fees for workshops and programs such as READY ($100-$120) and Summer Connect ($350-$400), plus fees for individual transition planning consultations.
4. Digital Accessibility Services: Consulting and advisory services for organizations seeking to improve digital accessibility, including resources and guidance on accessibility best practices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Perkins Access is the digital accessibility services arm of Perkins School for the Blind, providing consulting, evaluation, strategy, and resources that help organizations make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. Its work is anchored by the Perkins Innovation Center, which connects DisabilityTech entrepreneurs and investors with the disability community for user research, testing, and ecosystem development. The division extends into educational programs, transition services for blind and low-vision students, and global inclusive education training through Perkins International Programs.

Product overview

Perkins Access is a digital accessibility consulting and services division of Perkins School for the Blind. Rather than a software product company, it offers digital accessibility services, expertise, and resources focused on helping organizations create accessible digital experiences for people with disabilities. The organization provides accessibility strategy, evaluation, and implementation guidance, often in conjunction with the broader Perkins Innovation Center which connects the disability and technology communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Perkins Innovation Center: Innovation center at the intersection of innovation and disability, connecting the entrepreneurial and disability communities to create purpose-built solutions for a more accessible world.
• Perkins Transition Center
• Perkins International Programs

Products and services

• Digital Accessibility Consulting Services Consulting and advisory services that help businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits improve digital accessibility for users with disabilities. Includes accessibility strategy, WCAG audits, usability testing with blind and low-vision users, and remediation guidance.
• Perkins Innovation Center Programs Programs that connect DisabilityTech entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, incubators, and universities with the disability community to support market research, user testing, and product deployment. Includes the Startup in Residence program and the Innovation Center advisory group.
• Perkins Transition Center Services Transition services for students with visual impairments and other disabilities, including college readiness, independent living skills, career development, and the Transition Planning Resource Center.
• READY Workshop Series A 4-part online parent workshop preparing families of blind and low-vision teens for the transition to adulthood. Priced at $100 early bird (up to 2 attendees) and $120 regular, with financial aid available for qualifying families.
• Summer Connect Workshop

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 in 4 people have a disability (16-19% of global population)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Museum of Science, BostonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Perkins Innovation Center is partnering with the Museum of Science for the 'Year of Being Human' - a yearlong celebration exploring humanity at the intersections of disability, accessibility, and human rights. Events include Democracy is a Disability Issue, DisabilityTech: Innovation for an Accessible Future, and Climate Change is a Disability Issue. The partnership amplifies disabled voices and demonstrates why accessibility is a community issue.
• Tatum RoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tatum Robotics is the first company to join the Perkins Innovation Center as a 'Startup in Residence' in the pilot in-person incubator program for DisabilityTech startups in Massachusetts. Tatum Robotics develops the first independent telecommunications system prioritizing communication via tactile sign for the deafblind community. Being on campus provides access to deafblind students, teachers, staff, and the broader deafblind community for product feedback and collaboration.
• BlindSquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationBlindSquare is the mobile GPS app for blind users integrated with iBeacons at partner venues for indoor navigation. Perkins has featured BlindSquare in indoor navigation projects and resources, connecting the accessibility technology with museums and public spaces to enable independent navigation for visually impaired visitors.
• AiracoreTechnology or IntegrationAira is a live, human-to-human professional visual interpretation service that Perkins offers to anyone requiring visual assistance to access digital content or physical campus. Available to visitors physically onsite at Perkins Campus in Watertown, MA, and virtually when interacting with perkins.org or other Perkins products.
• SenseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup invested in by Claire Chang, member of Perkins Innovation Center Advisory Group. Sensee is described as 'Amazon for the visually impaired' - connecting advisory group members to the startup ecosystem serving people with disabilities.
• SASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEd Summers, Senior Manager of Accessibility and Applied Assistive Technology at SAS and Chair of NC Commission for the Blind, provided support for indoor navigation project using BlindSquare at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. SAS has been a champion for accessibility technology implementations.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO has recognized Perkins Model Program Approach as Good Practices for Sustainable Development Goals education. The recognition highlights Perkins' work improving pedagogy for children with disabilities globally, with UNESCO spotlight on Mexico and other partnership initiatives.
• UBSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBS Global Visionary recognition of Perkins' vision for inclusion. UBS supports Perkins' global education initiatives and inclusive education vision through their Global Visionary program showcasing organizations creating positive social impact.
• MassRoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTatum Robotics previously worked at MassRobotics before joining Perkins Innovation Center as Startup in Residence. MassRobotics is part of Massachusetts' thriving DisabilityTech ecosystem that includes Perkins Innovation Center, Greentown Labs, and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
• Remarkable Tech AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, the accelerator connected Alex Dunn (Cephable) with Perkins Innovation Center Executive Director Sandy Lacey through the program, linking DisabilityTech startups with Perkins ecosystem.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deque Systems: Deque Systems provides digital accessibility software (axe) and professional services for WCAG/ADA compliance. Directly competes with Perkins Access in the enterprise digital accessibility consulting market with a stronger product-led offering.
• AudioEye: AudioEye offers automated and human-powered digital accessibility solutions, including audits and remediation. Competes with Perkins Access in the digital accessibility market with a more productized, technology-led approach.
• TPGi (The Paciello Group): TPGi is a digital accessibility consultancy offering strategy, design, training, and auditing services. Part of Vispero alongside ScreenReader JAWS, providing an integrated services-plus-assistive-tech model similar in mission to Perkins Access.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Hadley provides distance education and resources for people with vision loss, including online workshops and transition support. Directly comparable to Perkins Access's online workshops (READY, Summer Connect) and transition services in format and audience.
• Level Access: Level Access is a leading digital accessibility platform and services firm offering WCAG audits, VPATs, and ongoing accessibility programs. Directly comparable as an enterprise-focused digital accessibility consulting and product company serving similar buyers to Perkins Access.

Others

• MassRobotics: MassRobotics is a Boston-area robotics and innovation hub that has partnered with Perkins Innovation Center and hosted DisabilityTech startups like Tatum Robotics. Comparable as a Massachusetts-based innovation/incubator ecosystem partner supporting Perkins's startup programs.

Emerging players

• UserWay: UserWay offers AI-powered website accessibility widgets and scanning tools. Comparable to Perkins Access as an accessibility services/technology provider, but with a productized widget approach rather than consulting-led model.

Broad incumbents

• Lighthouse Guild: Lighthouse Guild provides services for people with vision loss, combining vision healthcare with rehabilitation and education. Comparable to Perkins as a multi-service nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired populations with a similar programmatic model.
• American Foundation for the Blind: AFB is a national nonprofit focused on research, advocacy, and services for people with vision loss. Comparable to Perkins School for the Blind and Perkins Access as a heritage institution addressing blindness and accessibility with broader research and policy scope.
• National Federation of the Blind: NFB is a large, longstanding U.S. nonprofit serving the blind community through advocacy, education, and programs. Comparable to Perkins as a mission-aligned organization in the blindness space with national scale and influence.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/perkinsvision
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/PerkinsVision
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialPerkins
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/perkinsaccess
• Instagraminstagram.com/perkinsvision
• Pinterestpinterest.com/officialperkins

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Perkins Access