Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific
Deborah Gleason has conducted training programs for the development of programs and services for children who are deafblind or blind with multiple disabilities and their families in developing countries for nearly 30 years. She has been affiliated with Perkins since 1980, including positions as Coordinator of Staff Development and a teacher of children with visual impairment and deafblindness. Ms. Gleason has extensive undergraduate and graduate teaching experience, including the development of distance education programs.
Ms. Gleason received a Masters in Special Education, specializing in deafblindness and multi-handicapped education and a BA in Elementary and Special Education from Boston College. She also has pursued post-graduate coursework, most recently completing a graduate certificate in International Development at Gallaudet University. She has authored several books and articles on the assessment and education of children with visual and/or multiple disabilities and makes frequent presentations at both national and international conferences.
Ms. Gleason has been a Vice Chair and member of the Early Childhood Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Department of Education and Board member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. In 2004, she received AER’s award for Outstanding Practice in Services to Children and their Families, as well as an Award of Excellence in 1991.