Children Our Future - Education and Parenting Online Convention 2022

Deborah Gleason is Director of Asia & Pacific Region at Perkins International of Perkins School for the Blind.  Debbie has more than 3 decades of global experience providing leadership and support to build the capacity of local organizations to become sustainable programs by training teachers, advocating for national-level policy change, and helping organizations expand access to education and services for children who are visually impaired with multiple disabilities.  She has taught courses and provided technical assistance to programs in nearly 20 countries across Asia, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and U.S.  In addition, Debbie has presented widely at over 50 international, regional, and national conferences in 15 countries.  Her numerous publications cover a range of topics including training of teachers for learners with visual impairment and multiple disabilities, inclusive education, early intervention for children with visual impairment, and assessment of children with deafblindness/ multiple disabilities.  She also has extensive undergraduate and graduate university teaching experience.  Debbie received a Masters degree in Special Education, specializing in deafblindness and multi-handicapped education from Boston College. She also holds a Graduate Certificate of International Development from Gallaudet University. 

Debbie’s career has focused on helping children with complex disabilities around the world learn and thrive, claiming their rightful place as valued members of a family, school and community.  

“Children- and their parents and teachers- have always been my best teachers.”