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Imagine a five-year-old child with multiple disabilities, confined to their home, and excluded from opportunities to learn, play, and explore in their community. This is the reality for millions. Of the 240 million children with disabilities worldwide, 50% in low- and middle-income countries are out of school. Those who do attend often face inaccessible classrooms, untrained teachers, and curriculums that don’t meet their needs. Without large-scale intervention to make education accessible, millions of children with disabilities remain excluded from learning, trapping them in cycles of inequality and lost opportunities.
Perkins, the worldwide leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities, believes that every child can learn, anywhere. Perkins has been breaking barriers in education for nearly two centuries.
Today, through Perkins Model Program Approach in 15 countries across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Eurasia, we partner with governments, families, and communities to make learning inclusive and accessible in schools across the globe. In 2024 alone, we reached 1.2 million children, trained over 44,000 teachers, and supported 7,500 families. Perkin’s work advances UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).
Igniting Change Across Asia
In India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bhutan and Vietnam, Perkins is creating a movement by building models of accessible learning that over time, drive systemic transformation in education systems nationally. Schools become hubs of inclusive learning, where children once left behind now thrive. As best practices get adopted and spread, thousands of children, educators, and families gain the tools to create a ripple effect of systemic and lasting change, where every child matters.
Changing Lives in Indonesia
With 30% of children with disabilities excluded from quality education in Indonesia, Perkins is supporting inclusive learning across the country, in partnership with government, universities, educators, and families. In 2024, we reached 13,600 children, including eleven-year-old Irene.
Once out of school and unable to communicate, Irene learned sign language through Perkins’ supported programs. Today, she’s thriving—learning, socialising, and chasing her dreams. Passionate about fashion, she crochets, sews, and even organizes a citywide fashion show, proving that with the right support, possibilities are endless.
Scaling Inclusive Education in India
India, the world’s most populous nation is home to over 8 million children with disabilities. In just 18 months, Perkins India has expanded to 19 programs across five Indian states, proving the scalability of Perkins Model Program Approach. With an ambitious goal of 200 Model Programs reaching 1 million children by 2030, the impact is growing fast.
For example, Priyanshi, a lively six-year-old from rural Gujarat with an intellectual disability and speech impairment, once struggled to focus in class. With Perkins training, her teachers tailored strategies to engage her. Slowly, she moved from isolation to active participation—learning together with friends, engaging in problem-solving tasks like puzzles, and even gaining independent skills like peeling fruit. Her progress is a testament to the power of the right support at the right time.
Empowering Families in the Philippines
Perkins is driving inclusive development in the Philippines through education, sports, and nature camps, partnering with the University of Santo Tomas, Lorma Colleges, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Parent Advocates for Children with Visual Impairment (PAVIC)—a national parent advocacy group. Nature camps have been a unique way to support children with disabilities and their families.
Ysabelle Sotto, a blind teenager, attended a Family Nature Adventure Camp in 2022 and discovered a passion for outdoor activities. Engaging with other parents of children with disabilities gave the Sotto family strength and a strong sense of community. Her brother Ymmanuel learned to care for his Ate (elder sister), deepening their bond. Inspired, the Sottos now embrace new challenges—from Spartan Races to summiting Mt. Pulag, with Ysabelle’s father, Romel, guiding her every step. For Ysabelle, sports and adventure aren’t just activities—they’re tools to face fears, build confidence, and find calm. Building an Inclusive Future for All across Asia and beyond Education is a fundamental right. Across Asia and beyond, Perkins is not only transforming schools but building a network of support proving that every child, regardless of ability, can learn, thrive, and belong. The path forward demands bold action, sustained commitment, and a belief in every child’s potential.
