Since 1949, we have trained blind and visually impaired people for successful careers in the piano service industry. As the only school of its kind in the world, we have attracted students from 36 states and 14 countries. Over 200 graduates of our program have started their own piano service businesses.
By contrast, the unemployment rate among blind and visually impaired people is 60% - 70%. This statistic has persisted despite the advent of computers and adaptive technologies that many blind educators and professionals thought would open doors and improve the quality of life for the blind population.
The School of Piano Technology for the Blind is self sustaining with no access to government subsidy or support. The school takes pride in the fact that it earns over 60% of its budget. For the remainder, we rely on the generosity of foundations and individuals. Many consider their support an investment in the futures of our courageous students who work hard to overcome their blindness or visual impairment to live independent, productive lives.
The School of Piano Technology for the Blind is making plans to participate in Mayor's Walk, a 10K event in the Portland Marathon. The school hopes the walk will serve as both a teambuilding activity and a fundraising event for the school. A training plan involving staff, students, sighted guides and volunteers will be scheduled over the summer and early fall. The school is very enthusiastic about its participation in the Mayor's Walk since it serves as an incentive to encourage its blind and visually impaired students and staff to become more physically fit.
OUR MISSION
The School of Piano Technology for the Blind prepares blind and visually impaired individuals for independent, productive careers in the piano service industry. The unemployment rate for blind and visually impaired people is 60%-70% despite advances in computers and adaptive technology that many educators and professionals felt would create more employment opportunities. By contrast, for the past three semesters, there has been a 100% placement rate among graduates from our program. Most graduates begin their careers working for retail music stores while they build a solid basis for self-employment. Since 1949, our school has served as a small business incubator for over 200 piano service businesses. As the only school of its kind, we have attracted students from 36 states and 14 countries to our two year, accredited training program.
A SUCCESS STORY
In 2004, Tom joined our program. He is a bright, young man, who was born blind. Tom graduated from high school and community college, but was unable to find employment. He was barely able to support himself on SSDI payments of less than $700 per month. Tom is talented and educated, but unable to earn a living. A local piano technician, who was tuning his parent's piano, suggested the School of Piano Technology fro the Blind in Vancouver, WA. Tom was accepted into the program and spent the next two years learning to tune and repair pianos. Upon graduation, Tom found rewarding employment with a music store in the South. He is living an independent, productive life with excellent prospects for career advancement, including owning and operating his own business.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
Our student - teacher ratio is 4:1 creating opportunities for highly individualized training. We often focus one instructor per student to accomplish specific training projects. Students learn at different rates depending upon their manual dexterity, spatial reasoning, musical aptitude, etc. Our program produces excellent learning outcomes, but the costs far exceed the tuition we are able to charge. There is a funding gap in our annual budget! Every year, the gap is closed by revenues generated by tuition and piano operations, which generate over 60% of our annual budget. For the remaining shortfall, we rely upon grant writing, events and donations from caring and generous individuals.
BUILDING OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Any support generated by our School's participation in the Portland Marathon will be used to close our tuition gap and to grow our scholarship program. It is our goal to be able to award a scholarship to all deserving students to help defray the cost of their education.
Thanks!
