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| An Indonesia training for teachers of students who are blind with additional disabilities. |
Local leadership is invaluable to the long-term success and growth of programs. Perkins provides instruction to trainers and prepares them to establish themselves as a resource in their region. Their leadership multiplies the numbers of teachers, parents, administrators and students reached through Perkins' programs and advances sustainable societal change.
Two programs are central in preparing leaders internationally: our Educational Leadership Program (ELP) and the Institutional Development Program (IDP).
Click on the links below to learn more about these programs:
Educational Leadership Program
The Educational Leadership Program provides advanced training and leadership development to promising international educators serving children who are blind, deafblind or blind with additional disabilities.
Institutional Development Program
The Institutional Development Program (IDP) is co-sponsored by Sight Savers International and Perkins International. It is led by individuals who are blind and partially sighted. The IDP focuses on building and strengthening organizations of and for the blind primarily within Africa. The IDP has provided training to over 190 leaders from Africa and the Caribbean who manage programs benefiting nearly 17,000 people who are blind.
Supporting Networking Opportunities
Regional meetings and conferences are central aspects to advancing professionalism in the field. Perkins sponsors conferences, symposiums and seminars at the local, national and regional level bringing together key actors in the fields of disability, blindness and multiple disability.
To this end, Perkins co-sponsors the Africa Forum, the continent’s largest conference on blindness. These networking opportunities enable parents, professionals, and organizations of persons with disabilities, to exchange ideas and best practices, advocate for common goals, and create informal networks dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities.