Workshop: Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair

Who Should Attend

This workshop is intended for people who are:

Interested in repairing non-functioning Perkins Braillers
Beginners to the technical workings of the braillers
Anticipating becoming Perkins Certified for Level 1 & 2 General Maintenance and Minor Repairs

After this workshop you will be able to:

Perform the skills required to repair non-functionable Perkins Brailler
Be certified as both a Level 1 & 2 General Maintenance and Minor Repairs Technician
Restore braillers that have been out of operation for years
Reduce the costs you, your organization, or your school incurs with repairs
Reach your individual repair goals
Reduce the time your braillers are inoperable by eliminating having to send them out for repair

If you’re interested in being able to make all repairs or run your own repair business, you’ll have to also complete our Level 3 Major Repairs Workshop.

Logistics

Dates

Our Workshops are offered for the following 2 weeks: Level 1 and 2 can leave once they have received certification.

Week A July 21st - July 25th (Level 2 Certification end of day July 22nd)
Week B July 28th - August 1st (Level 2 Certification end of day July 29th)

Please click here to be placed on a Summer 2025 Brailler Repair Training waitlist.

Price

$600, includes tuition, complimentary breakfast and lunch. Pricing varies if accommodations are included. At registration, you will be asked whether you’d like to include on-campus housing. (See fees below)

Please note: there will be additional costs for tools and supplies that you will use during your training and are yours to keep after the workshop.

Agenda

The Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair’s Workshop focuses on inspecting, cleaning and lubricating a brailler; understanding spare parts; learning how to use the service manual; and learning how to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance on a Perkins Brailler.

Introduction Faculty/Participants
Introduction to Braillers
Utilizing the Service Manual
Identification of Tools, Assemblies and Parts
Cleaning and Lubrication
Inspecting a Brailler
Basic Maintenance
Dismantling of Exterior Castings, except Right End Plate and Left End Plate
Cleaning of Brailler with Left and Right Plate attached
Disassemble and Reassemble Pressure Roller several times
Disassemble and Reassemble Beam several times
Remove Keys, Cam Levers, Spacebar, Links and Backspace assemblies
Remove and Reinstall Mainspring several times
Remove and Reinstall Intermediate Gear several times

Accommodations

On campus, discounted, dorm-like accommodations can be purchased with each workshop at checkout. Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair’s Workshop accommodations include:

3 night stay, non-negotiable
Total price of $300
Check-in night before workshop at 3:00pm EST
Check-out last day of workshop at 8:00am EST

Other local housing options include AirB&B type rentals, Hampton Inn & Suites Watertown Boston, Residence Inn Boston Watertown, Four Points by Sheraton Boston Newton, Super 8 by Wyndham Watertown.

Perkins On-Campus Room Overview

While rooms are very basic, you can expect them to be clean and functional. All rooms are private, unless you chose to share one. However, bathrooms are shared amongst all guests, which can be 2-4 at any given point. Each room has access to a shared common space and kitchen. Additional amenities can be read below.

Accommodation Requests

All housing arrangements are on a first come first serve basis so please let us know of any of the below conditions when booking or as early as possible. Our options become limited as we approach summer and we can not make changes once you arrive on campus.

You will need to be able to climb stairs to use our housing. If you cannot do so safely we can look into alternative accommodations if there is space on campus.
We attempt to set up rental spaces by gender. Please let us know if single gender common spaces and bathrooms are a requirement.
Please email christopher.arnold@perkins.org or call 617-972-7254 to discuss accommodations we can make for you if possible.

Amenities

Air conditioned
Pillows, blankets, and towels provided
Shared bathroom with the 2-4 guests on the floor
100% Non-Smoking Guest Rooms
Wifi Access
Free parking
Laundry access
Kitchen access in shared space – stove, microwave, refrigerator, and dish washer
Shared common space with TV & small couch, chairs (TV has no cable box attached. You can plug in an HDMI device at your own risk.)
Not Provided: shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair dryer, and other basic amenities you'd expect in a standard hotel

Transportation Options

Free monitored on-campus parking (Guest parking lot is located 1/2 mile across campus) Parking lot is monitored via campus security cameras but at your own risk
24 hour street parking is close to workshop room and on campus housing (at your own risk)
Public transportation, buses
Uber & Lyft

Dining Options

A light Breakfast and catered lunch will be provided during full workshop days (Monday to Friday)
Grocery stores are within driving distance of campus and rooms come with access to a fully equipped kitchen, and therefore, cooking for yourself is an option
One diner less than 0.1 miles from housing
Several other dining options with 0.5 -1.0 mile away

FAQs

Can I take one workshop at a time?

Yes. You do not have to take the Level 3 Major Repair’s workshop at the same time you take Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair’s Workshop.

However, we highly recommend you take the Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair’s Workshop as a prerequisite for the Level 3 Major Repair’s Workshop. We have several people who take Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repair’s Workshop in one year, and then take the Level 3 Major Repair’s Workshop the next year.

Can I do the workshops if I’m blind?

We have had several folks who are blind or visually impaired complete our training. With that said, there are aspects of the course that may be more difficult given the hands on nature of the course. Please email christopher.arnold@perkins.org to start the conversation.

Can I do the workshops anywhere?

While we cannot do a level 2 repair workshop via video, we're happy to discuss the possibility of bringing the workshop to your location. Email christopher.arnold@perkins.org to start the conversation.