Around Town

Perkins Library Remains Closed, Find Out About Online Services

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The following information was provided by the Perkins School for the Blind Library:

Dear Perkins Library Patrons,

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns continue to evolve, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has extended his March 23rd “Stay at Home” Executive Order requiring all non-essential businesses to close. At this time, the Executive Order will now extend until May 4, 2020. As we had previously communicated, the Perkins Library falls into this category, so no Library mail has been sent out since March 24. Additionally, we ask borrowers to hold all Library materials until you are notified that we are able to receive them by return mail. While we can’t ship physical materials, you can always download from our Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service.

Board of Assessors

Perkins, Town at Odds Over $1.4 Million Tax Bill After School Missed Deadline

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The Howe Building at Perkins School for the Blind. A piece of paperwork that was filed late has put Perkins School for the Blind and the Town of Watertown at odds over whether the school should pay nearly $1.5 million in taxes on its property or if the school be exempt from taxes, as it has operating as a non-profit in town for more than a century. A third option has been proposed, which would cost less than the full tax bill, but over the years would add up to far more than the $1.4 million. Perkins President and CEO Dave Power said the payment would take money away from the school’s mission of providing services to blind and visually impaired children and adults. The missed filing occurred in March 2019, but the issue became public Tuesday night at the Town Council meeting.

Entertainment

RSVP Now for Two Holiday Concerts at Perkins School for the Blind

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Perkins School for the Blind will host two holiday concerts. Perkins School for the Blind will host a pair of Holiday Concerts. See the announcement below. The Perkins Student Chorus, Chamber Singers, Music Makers, Handbell Ensemble, Instrumental Ensemble and vocal soloists will celebrate the season with a beautiful mix of choral, orchestral and instrumental works from around the world. Both concerts are free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible.

Charity

See How to Donate to Watertown Organizations on #GivingTuesday

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Tuesday, Dec. 3 is Giving Tuesday, and if you would like to give locally, here are a few opportunities. The following came from the donation information provided by these Watertown-based groups:

Watertown Community Foundation

There is no better way to see the true impact of your donation than to give where you live. We hope you’ll think of the Watertown Community Foundation on #GivingTuesday. Make a local impact every single day of the year.

Schools

Watertown Resident will be Honored by Carroll Center for the Blind

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Waterown’s Kate Katulak, who works at Perkins School for the Blind, will be honored by The Carroll Center for the Blind. The following information was provided by Carroll Center for the Blind:

The Carroll Center for the Blind, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, will honor four outstanding individuals who are blind or visually impaired during the 35th annual Carroll Society Awards on June 6, 2019. The Carroll Society Awards recognize blind and visually impaired employees who have made significant contributions to their companies or nonprofit organizations by their outstanding ability and job performance.  Individuals are chosen because, despite vision loss, they are exemplary employees and contribute to the overall culture of both their business and community. The following individuals will be inducted into the Carroll Society:

Daniela Depina, of Boston, Independent Living Advocate, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL);Kate Katulak, of Watertown, Assistant Director of College Success, Perkins School for the Blind; andPauline Dowell, of Charlestown, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Carroll Center will also recognize Carla Burke of Harwich Port as the “Blind Employee of the Year” for her work as an assistive technology coordinator at the Brooks Free Library in Harwich. “These individuals have made an immense impact on their organizations, despite vision loss, and we are proud to recognize their achievements,” said Gregory J. Donnelly, president and CEO of the Carroll Center for the Blind.

Entertainment

Free Celebration of Spring Concert Features Revels, Perkins School Students

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Revels and Perkins School for the Blind students do the Circle Dance as part of the “Celebration of Spring” concert. The following information was provided by Revels:

Join us for a joyful and inspirational concert of traditional music, dance and song as Revels celebrates spring with the talented students from Perkins School for the Blind. A Celebration of Spring, Directed by Patrick Swanson;  Music Direction by Megan Henderson, will be held Thursday, May 23, 2019, 7:30 p.m.Perkins School for the Blind, Dwight Hall, 175 No. Beacon Street, Watertown. Admission is FREE

Revels directors Megan Henderson and Paddy Swanson lead this special one-hour program featuring Perkins’ talented singers with Revels’ adult and children’s choruses, a children’s morris team, and a great band of musicians.

Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins, Spaulding Rehabilitation Team to Make Info More Accessible

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Perkins School for the Blind provided the following information:

While the landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act has made great strides specific to physical access, there is still a significant gap around accessible digital information. Assistive technology tools exist, such as audible screen readers, but the success of those tools hinges on the thoughtful and inclusive design of digital information. Spaulding Rehabilitation Network has taken a major step to close that gap by teaming with Perkins Access, the commercial consulting group at Perkins School for the Blind, to design a patient-first website (spauldingrehab.org) which sets a new standard for usability and accessibility. Spaulding patient Chris Hoeh tested the new site and commented, “I use my phone for most of my online needs and navigate using my thumb, which doesn’t work on most sites. It would be incredible if all organizations followed Spaulding’s lead and considered users of every ability when designing their sites.”

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) specify how to make content accessible and usable by audiences of varying needs and abilities.

Around Town

Easter Tradition Continues at Perkins School for the Blind

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A mother helps her son collect eggs at the Perkins School for the Blind Beeping Egg Hunt. The following piece was provided by Perkins School for the Blind:

Hundreds of children and extended family members joined in on the 7th Annual Beeping Egg Hunt at Perkins School for the Blind on Saturday, April 6th. Three hundred brightly-colored, plastic eggs that emit high-pitched beeps were placed around the central playground on Perkins’ Watertown Campus. The Beeping Egg Hunt is a specialized event for children with visual impairments and their families. Each year it attracts students enrolled in both day and residential programs at Perkins, as well as other area families. 

Cameron shows his excitement after finding a beeping egg at the annual Perkins School event.