Perkins School for the Blind celebrated the Class of 2026 during a graduation ceremony on Friday, and the commencement speaker was one of the highest elected officials in Massachusetts. See more in the announcement from the Perkins School for the Blind, below.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of Perkins School for the Blind on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Perkins School for the Blind, a global leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities, celebrated 18 graduates this year as they prepare for the next stage of their lives. Founded in 1829 as the first school for the blind in the United States, Perkins has spent nearly two centuries innovating and helping children with disabilities and visual impairments find their place in the world.
Speaking to the graduates, their families, and staff on the Perkins campus, Lt. Gov. Driscoll praised the students for their accomplishments and noted:
“… You are part of the work that we do every single day to make sure that we are giving people the tools that they need to build the future they dreamed of, whatever that might look like.”
The morning celebration began with an opening welcome from graduating student Zoey Brashears. The graduating class selected Class President Kyle Butt as their student speaker. In his remarks, Kyle highlighted the profound impact Perkins has had on the graduating class, noting that each student demonstrated an extraordinary amount of personal and academic growth while at Perkins. Kyle asked the audience to:
“Imagine a world where the strength of a person’s vision isn’t measured by what their eyes can see, but by how clearly they can perceive the possibilities that others have yet to even imagine.”
“Each of these graduates has shown what is possible when given the tools and resources to succeed,” said David Barth, President and CEO of Perkins School for the Blind. “I’m proud to lead Perkins in Massachusetts, where we believe in human potential and understand what life can be for people with disabilities when they get the education, support, and respect they need to find their place in the world.”
See a video of the Perkins School for the Blind graduation ceremony below: (Perkins President & CEO David Barth’s remarks begin at 18:04, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll’s remarks begin at 29:40, Class President Kyle Butt’s address begins at 47:28)
About Perkins School for the Blind
For nearly 200 years, Perkins has been the global leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities with visual impairments. From its renowned Massachusetts-based school, Perkins develops best-in-class teaching practices and shares them worldwide — through teacher training, sustainable education programs, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. Driven by a mission to make quality learning accessible to the 240 million children with disabilities globally, Perkins reached almost two million children last year. The organization is continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of children, families, and educators — breaking down barriers and building brighter futures, one student at a time. Perkins.org