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Workshop: Level 3 Major Repairs

Who Should Attend

Please email: Christopher.Arnold@perkins.org or Dan.Roy@perkins.org for further details. 

This workshop is intended for people who are:

  • Advanced technicians who are familiar with the mechanics of the Perkins Brailler
  • Seeking to repair any and all broken Perkins Braillers
  • Running his or her own repair business
  • Anticipating becoming Perkins Certified for Level 3 Major Repairs

After this workshop you will be able to:

  • Perform the most complicated repairs
  • Confidently perform repairs for Perkins Braillers; not SMART Braillers
  • Know how to stock a repair facility and run a simple repair business
  • Be certified as a Level 3 Major Repair 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
  • Offer a new service in your local community

Those interested in taking this workshop must have a strong foundation of repair skills or have taken our Level 1 & 2 workshop. Certifications of repair skills are not a guarantee. If you are a beginner to repair, please consider our Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repairs Workshop.

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Logistics

Dates:

Our Workshops are offered on the following 2 weeks: Level 3 requires 3 and 1/2 days from Wednesday through Saturday morning  only if Levels 1 and 2 have been completed.

  • Week A: To be determined / Likely July 20th
  • Week B: To be determined / Likely July 27th 

Please click here to be placed on a Summer 2026 Brailler Repair Training waitlist. 

Price: To be announced.  Last year was $1600 for all 3 levels

Includes tuition, complimentary breakfast and lunch for workshop full instruction days (M-F). At registration, you will be asked whether you’d like to include housing. (see costs 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. 

Last years final bill for all three levels (Instructor fee, tools, supplies, lunch catering and 6 nights of housing was $2500 plus tax (if applicable)  Tax based on home location of the person being trained.   Pricing for 2026 is yet to be determined.

Prerequisite

We require individuals take the Level 1 General Maintenance & Level 2 Minor Repairs Workshop prior to this one unless that requirement can be waived by Perkins staff.  Please call Chris Arnold 617-972-7254 if you have questions on prerequisites. 

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Agenda

This one week workshop builds upon the Basic Maintenance and Repair Workshop and develops competency in dismantling, troubleshooting, and repairing of Perkins Braillers. This workshop does require a prerequisite of our Basic Brailler Maintenance and Repair.

  • Remove Right End Plate and all Assemblies down to the Left End Plate
  • Practice Reassembly up to Right End Plate
  • Dismantle Carriage and Stylus and Reassemble
  • Dismantle Rear Support and Reassemble
  • Remove and Reset Chain Assembly
  • Reassemble entire Brailler to good working order
  • Review troubleshooting Guide
  • Overview of Service Manual Utilization
  • Question and Answer session on how to proceed upon completion of training.
  • Certificate Distribution

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Accommodations

On campus, discounted, dorm-like accommodations can be purchased with each workshop.. Level 3 Major Repairs accommodations include:

  • 3 night stay, non-negotiable.  
  • Price to be determined.  
  • Check-in night before workshop at 3:00pm EST
  • Check-out Saturday by - 1 PM EST unless staying an extra night
  • Option to stay Saturday night if needed for another $100
  • Full week (Levels 1-3) accommodations are 6 days minimum for $600. Sunday night through Saturday morning. 

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 in each apartment, which can be 2-3 at any given point. Each room has access to a shared dining room 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.   Only one floor is accessible by ramp.   The top floor requires stairs.  

  • We attempt to set up apartments by gender.   Please let us know if single gender common spaces and bathrooms are a requirement.   
  • Please contact Chris Arnold at christopher.arnold@perkins.org or 617-972-7254 to discuss accommodations we can make for you if possible.

     

Amenities

  • Air conditioned
  • Pillows, sheets, blankets, and towels provided
  • Shared bathroom with the 2-3 guests for each apartment
  • 100% Non-Smoking Guest Rooms
  • Wifi Access
  • Free parking
  • Laundry access on ground floor
  • Kitchen access in shared space – stove, microwave, pots and pans, refrigerator, sink with dish soap, and dishes, bowls and utensils.  You will need to hand wash dishes during the week.  
  • No living room available / please plan on bringing Ipads or computers suitable for use in your private bedroom. Bedrooms do not have TVs.  
  • 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 workshop days (Monday through 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

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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 contact Chris Arnold at christopher.arnold@perkins.org or 617-972-7254 to discuss the material accommodations we can make for you.

Can I do the workshops anywhere?

While we cannot do level 3 workshops via video, we're happy to discuss the possibility of bringing the workshop to your location.  Please email christopher.arnold@perkins.org  to start the conversation.

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