EXPLORE OUR LIBRARY
Our Library for the Visually Impaired includes Braille Books, Audio Books, Digital Books, Computers, and more!
GET INVOLVED WITH BRAILLE INSTITUTE
Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. Braille Institute serves thousands of visually impaired and blind people through a variety of free programs, classes and services at centers and community outreach locations throughout Southern California – from Santa Barbara to San Diego counties!
From a printing operation based out of one Los Angeles garage to seven regional centers and international programs, Braille Institute has come a long way. Today, we’re celebrating the man who started it all. Happy Birthday, Bob Atkinson! 🎂
Image Description: A black and white photo from 1921 where Bob Atkinson stands in his open garage next to a long row of brailled pages. Three other people sit in the background, also assisting with the printing process.
From a printing operation based out of one Los Angeles garage to seven regional centers and international programs, Braille Institute has come a long way. Today, we’re celebrating the man who started it all. Happy Birthday, Bob Atkinson! 🎂
Image Description: A black and white photo from 1921 where Bob Atkinson stands in his open garage next to a long row of brailled pages. Three other people sit in the background, also assisting with the printing process.
Today is GivingTuesday, and your donation to Braille Institute DOUBLES! Whatever you give will be matched to provide critical resources to people like Valerie, who was able to navigate her vision-related challenges with help from Braille Institute. Click the link in our bio and make twice the impact with your gift today. 🎁
Image Description: Valerie, a senior African American woman, makes a heart shape with her hands. Blue and white text reads: Today is GivingTuesday. The V in Giving is stylized as a heart.
Today is GivingTuesday, and your donation to Braille Institute DOUBLES! Whatever you give will be matched to provide critical resources to people like Valerie, who was able to navigate her vision-related challenges with help from Braille Institute. Click the link in our bio and make twice the impact with your gift today. 🎁
Image Description: Valerie, a senior African American woman, makes a heart shape with her hands. Blue and white text reads: Today is GivingTuesday. The V in Giving is stylized as a heart.
Curious about the types of free services we provide? Come join us at our virtual booth at Accessible Pharmacy`s Blind Health Expo 2023 on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2. 📆
The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual expo of healthcare information for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind or have low vision. To attend for free and check out our booth, please register with the link in our bio.
@accessiblepharmacy
Image Description: At the top of the image is the Accessible Pharmacy Blind Health Expo logo and the text: Visit our booth at this year`s Blind Health Expo! Beneath that is a search bar with the URL: www.accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/. A simple graphic of an open laptop shows the Braille Institute logo on the screen, with a golden mouse cursor hovering over it. Black text at the bottom of the image reads: Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2. Register now for FREE!
Curious about the types of free services we provide? Come join us at our virtual booth at Accessible Pharmacy`s Blind Health Expo 2023 on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2. 📆
The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual expo of healthcare information for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind or have low vision. To attend for free and check out our booth, please register with the link in our bio.
@accessiblepharmacy
Image Description: At the top of the image is the Accessible Pharmacy Blind Health Expo logo and the text: Visit our booth at this year`s Blind Health Expo! Beneath that is a search bar with the URL: www.accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/. A simple graphic of an open laptop shows the Braille Institute logo on the screen, with a golden mouse cursor hovering over it. Black text at the bottom of the image reads: Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2. Register now for FREE!
Thanksgiving cooking doesn’t have to be stressful — with adaptive cooking techniques, you can regain your kitchen confidence. Here are a few tips for cooking with low vision:
1. Cut the clutter. If you have any duplicate, broken, or rarely used dishes and appliances, it’s time to toss them out. Throw out any seldom-used spices and expired food items, too.
2. Clearly label food and shelves. Write names of foods in large letters with a black pen on masking tape or adhesive labels. Try using different numbers of rubber bands wrapped around similarly sized containers to easily distinguish between them — for example, wrap one rubber band around a milk carton, two around a juice carton.
3. Purchase ready-to-use sliced, chopped, diced, and grated foods whenever possible.
4. Add contrast to your cooking process. Use light-colored cutting boards and dishes for dark foods and liquids, and dark-colored cutting boards and dishes for light-colored foods and liquids.
What are your favorite cooking tips? Share in the comments below — and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Image Description: Close-up of a Braille Institute student`s hands as he chops onions on a black tray for contrast. Deep brown text on a white background reads: Thanksgiving Cooking Tips.
Thanksgiving cooking doesn’t have to be stressful — with adaptive cooking techniques, you can regain your kitchen confidence. Here are a few tips for cooking with low vision:
1. Cut the clutter. If you have any duplicate, broken, or rarely used dishes and appliances, it’s time to toss them out. Throw out any seldom-used spices and expired food items, too.
2. Clearly label food and shelves. Write names of foods in large letters with a black pen on masking tape or adhesive labels. Try using different numbers of rubber bands wrapped around similarly sized containers to easily distinguish between them — for example, wrap one rubber band around a milk carton, two around a juice carton.
3. Purchase ready-to-use sliced, chopped, diced, and grated foods whenever possible.
4. Add contrast to your cooking process. Use light-colored cutting boards and dishes for dark foods and liquids, and dark-colored cutting boards and dishes for light-colored foods and liquids.
What are your favorite cooking tips? Share in the comments below — and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Image Description: Close-up of a Braille Institute student`s hands as he chops onions on a black tray for contrast. Deep brown text on a white background reads: Thanksgiving Cooking Tips.
This season, we`re thankful for fun, accessible games! Did you know that the game Bananagrams also comes in large print and braille versions? 🍌Designed for people with low vision, the high-contrast large print version is twice the size of the classic tiles. The braille version of the game includes braille letters on top of the print letters, so sighted family and friends can play, too!
You can find both the large print and braille game in our Vistas Store — just call (323) 906-3124 to place an order.
Image Description: Three rows of Bananagrams letter spell out the word "thankful." First is the classic version, then large print, and then braille. Ink blue text on a yellow background says: Did you know that the game Bananagrams also comes in large print and braille versions?
This season, we`re thankful for fun, accessible games! Did you know that the game Bananagrams also comes in large print and braille versions? 🍌Designed for people with low vision, the high-contrast large print version is twice the size of the classic tiles. The braille version of the game includes braille letters on top of the print letters, so sighted family and friends can play, too!
You can find both the large print and braille game in our Vistas Store — just call (323) 906-3124 to place an order.
Image Description: Three rows of Bananagrams letter spell out the word "thankful." First is the classic version, then large print, and then braille. Ink blue text on a yellow background says: Did you know that the game Bananagrams also comes in large print and braille versions?
We’re proud to share that our San Diego Center is now a partner facility in the Blue Envelope Program. This voluntary program provides free Blue Envelope branded products for individuals with a disability. These products signal to law enforcement and community service personnel that a person will require accommodations and additional awareness during a law enforcement interaction.
Braille Institute students and San Diego County residents can now pick up FREE Blue Envelope outreach materials at the Braille Institute San Diego Center. To learn more about the Blue Envelope Program, visit the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website here
Image Description: A man in a camo ball cap and sunglasses stands on a train station platform. He is wearing a Blue Envelope branded lanyard and holding a white cane.
Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.
@sdsheriff
We’re proud to share that our San Diego Center is now a partner facility in the Blue Envelope Program. This voluntary program provides free Blue Envelope branded products for individuals with a disability. These products signal to law enforcement and community service personnel that a person will require accommodations and additional awareness during a law enforcement interaction.
Braille Institute students and San Diego County residents can now pick up FREE Blue Envelope outreach materials at the Braille Institute San Diego Center. To learn more about the Blue Envelope Program, visit the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website here
Image Description: A man in a camo ball cap and sunglasses stands on a train station platform. He is wearing a Blue Envelope branded lanyard and holding a white cane.
Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.
@sdsheriff
OUR STORIES
Braille Institute is a community of individuals who are sighted, blind or have low vision. Every day throughout the country, we work together to empower people who live with vision loss.
These are our stories.
Joey’s Orientation & Mobility Story
In honor of Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Month, we sat
Braille Institute Of America Names William M. Nelson As Vice President Of People & Culture
Braille Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of William (Bill) M. Nelson as their inaugural Vice President of People & Culture.
Braille Institute Names Winners of the 2023 Braille Challenge
Winners Announced from 51 Visually Impaired Children From U.S. and Canada Invited To Compete in the Only Academic Competition of Its Kind
Braille Institute Of America Names Debra J. Martin As Chief Financial Officer
Braille Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Debra J. Martin as their new Chief Financial Officer.
BRAILLE INSTITUTE LOCATIONS
We offer programs and services in-person, by phone and remotely online. Appointments and/or student registration are required to visit a center. Center libraries are open to walk-ins during business hours. Los Angeles Vistas Store is open to walk-ins during business hours.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. Braille Institute serves more than 37,000 people through a variety of free programs, classes and services at centers and community outreach locations throughout Southern California – from Santa Barbara to San Diego counties.
Braille Institute admits students and clients of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, religion and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students and clients of Braille Institute. We do not discriminate against the foregoing in the administration of any of our policies or programs.