Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., was honored for a lifetime of pioneering work promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Perkins School for the Blind, part of Markey’s 7th Congressional District, is keenly aware of the value of his contributions. America’s first school for the blind, Perkins is also the nation’s premiere educator of students who are deafblind. Perkins student Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan (a Perkins valedictorian) have inspired the Congressman. They were pioneers themselves in proving the astonishing potential of persons with multiple disabilities.
Congressman Markey’s national leadership in authoring the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is the most recent chapter in a career of constant and tireless efforts to make all media accessible for all Americans. It is the most important legislative achievement for people with disabilities since the passage of the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) 20 years ago. He took up this cause and achieved the goal with his signature bi-partisan, people-first advocacy.
“Ed Markey does more than recognize problems,” says Perkins President Steven Rothstein, “he works hard to solve them. When our lawmakers step forward to make the world more open to people with disabilities, we all benefit.”
During Markey’s more than 35 years in U.S. House of Representatives, people at Perkins have seen firsthand the fervor with which the Congressman has worked to ensure that every person has access to communication technology. He changed the law to open new gateways to the Internet and a vast array of digital devices and services, such as smart phones, closed captioning for online video, audio descriptions of TV programming, audible emergency alerts and other technologies. Universal access to information is vital to personal and financial independence.
Congressman Edward Markey (right) speaks with Perkins secondary student Sam Robson (left) via an online video screen. Perkins President Steven Rothstein (middle)
Before the game at the TD Garden in Boston, the Perkins Chorus sang the national anthem, reprising their acclaimed “Star Spangled Banner” rendition at similar occasions over the past three years. Perkins is committed to providing education and services that build productive, meaningful lives for children and adults around the world who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired.
The Perkins Chorus sang the national anthem before the Celtics game during Perkins Night.
The Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us program is one of the premier community outreach programs in professional sports. Established as an initiative of the Boston Celtics in 1997, the Heroes Among Us Award is presented to an individual or individuals who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community. At each home game, the Celtics and their fans have saluted the exemplary efforts of these citizens during a special ingame presentation on the legendary parquet floor. To date, over 478 individuals have received the Heroes Among Us Award. This program is proudly presented by the Mass State Lottery.
About the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation benefits our children directly through programs that provide education and support. The foundation currently partners with Perkins School for the Blind, Boston Children’s, Horizons for Homeless Children, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), Berklee College of Music and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. For more information on the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, visit the community section on www.celtics.com/foundation.
