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!
Tomorrow is the first day of fall, and our Laguna Hills students are ringing in the season with some festive arts and crafts! It’s the first in-person art class at the Laguna Hills Center since the pandemic shutdown, and students are thrilled to be back. We’re grateful to Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. for leading such a fun, tactile art class. 🎨
What are you most excited about for the fall season? Let us know in the comments below! 🍂
Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. stands in front of a large table where students sit and work on their crafts.
Slide 2: A close up of a tea candle on top of a centerpiece made of bright yellow, red, and orange autumn leaves.
Slide 3: Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. and Laguna Hills Center students pose with big smiles around a table.
Slide 4: Close-up of a student`s hands as she seals bright autumn leaves around a glass vase.
#AccessibleArt
Tomorrow is the first day of fall, and our Laguna Hills students are ringing in the season with some festive arts and crafts! It’s the first in-person art class at the Laguna Hills Center since the pandemic shutdown, and students are thrilled to be back. We’re grateful to Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. for leading such a fun, tactile art class. 🎨
What are you most excited about for the fall season? Let us know in the comments below! 🍂
Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. stands in front of a large table where students sit and work on their crafts.
Slide 2: A close up of a tea candle on top of a centerpiece made of bright yellow, red, and orange autumn leaves.
Slide 3: Volunteer Instructor Gretchen H. and Laguna Hills Center students pose with big smiles around a table.
Slide 4: Close-up of a student`s hands as she seals bright autumn leaves around a glass vase.
#AccessibleArt
How are you and your loved ones standing strong against falls this season? This National Fall Prevention Week is the perfect time to learn how to help reduce your risk for a fall. Here are Braille Institute Orientation & Mobility Specialist Keema’s top four tips:
1. Build your balance. Find a balance or exercise program for more physical activity to improve your balance, strength, and flexibility and prevent falls.
2. Manage your medications. Review your prescriptions with your healthcare provider, be aware of side effects, and bring up any concerns you may have.
3. Fall-proof your home. By adding more lighting and grab bars as well as removing potential tripping hazards, you can reduce your risk for falls at home.
4. Let us help. We offer free classes and workshops that can help you or your loved one learn to safely navigate your world, make the most of your remaining vision, and get active.
Stay safe this season! To learn more about National Fall Prevention Week, visit the National Council on Aging’s website. Link in stories.
Image Description: Close-up of a nurse holding the hand of a person using a walker. White text on an ink blue background says: "It`s National Fall Prevention Week. Let`s stand strong together." The Braille Institute logo is in the upper left corner.
@ncoaging
How are you and your loved ones standing strong against falls this season? This National Fall Prevention Week is the perfect time to learn how to help reduce your risk for a fall. Here are Braille Institute Orientation & Mobility Specialist Keema’s top four tips:
1. Build your balance. Find a balance or exercise program for more physical activity to improve your balance, strength, and flexibility and prevent falls.
2. Manage your medications. Review your prescriptions with your healthcare provider, be aware of side effects, and bring up any concerns you may have.
3. Fall-proof your home. By adding more lighting and grab bars as well as removing potential tripping hazards, you can reduce your risk for falls at home.
4. Let us help. We offer free classes and workshops that can help you or your loved one learn to safely navigate your world, make the most of your remaining vision, and get active.
Stay safe this season! To learn more about National Fall Prevention Week, visit the National Council on Aging’s website. Link in stories.
Image Description: Close-up of a nurse holding the hand of a person using a walker. White text on an ink blue background says: "It`s National Fall Prevention Week. Let`s stand strong together." The Braille Institute logo is in the upper left corner.
@ncoaging
Today we’re proud to highlight Braille Institute student and upcoming braille graduate, Beena! Right before the pandemic, Beena became legally blind. As an avid reader, she was determined to find a new way to enjoy her favorite hobby — which ultimately led her to begin braille classes through our Los Angeles Center. In a short time, Beena has learned both Grade 1 and Grade 2 braille, and she continues to practice her braille reading with a variety of short stories.
“I’m proud because I learned something totally new, and I am starting to think outside the box,” Beena shares. “With braille, I have another way to devour books. It’s also made me feel very independent.”
Congratulations, Beena! We’re so proud of you and your dedication to braille literacy. 🎓
Image Description: Beena sits on a wooden bench in the sun, smiling down at her guide dog. She wears a bright teal sweater.
Today we’re proud to highlight Braille Institute student and upcoming braille graduate, Beena! Right before the pandemic, Beena became legally blind. As an avid reader, she was determined to find a new way to enjoy her favorite hobby — which ultimately led her to begin braille classes through our Los Angeles Center. In a short time, Beena has learned both Grade 1 and Grade 2 braille, and she continues to practice her braille reading with a variety of short stories.
“I’m proud because I learned something totally new, and I am starting to think outside the box,” Beena shares. “With braille, I have another way to devour books. It’s also made me feel very independent.”
Congratulations, Beena! We’re so proud of you and your dedication to braille literacy. 🎓
Image Description: Beena sits on a wooden bench in the sun, smiling down at her guide dog. She wears a bright teal sweater.
Everybody deserves to communicate with ease — and the California Connect program can help you with FREE specialized phones and devices. Next week, we’ll be offering two educational workshops in both Spanish and English, all about the California Connect program and how to qualify. Join us at the Coachella Library for an in-person Spanish workshop, or on Microsoft Teams for a remote English workshop.
Register with the link in our bio!
@caconnectprogram @coachellalibrary @rivcntylib
Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: In the top left corner of the image is the Braille Institute logo. In the top right corner is a dark blue box with white text that reads "Seminarios en linea gratuitos." Beneath that, in the center of the image, is the workshop title, "Programa de Acceso Telefónico de California" and the workshop details: "el miércoles 20 de septiembre 10.00am - 11.30am (hora estándar del Pacífico) La biblioteca de Coachella." Beneath the text is a blue button that says "Regístrese para el evento." At the bottom of the image is an illustration of Braille Institute’s services personified in cartoon form with blue accents.
Slide 2: In the top left corner of the image is the Braille Institute logo. In the top right corner is a dark blue box with white text that reads "Workshop Highlight." Beneath that, in the center of the image, is the workshop title, "All about the California Telephone Access Program" and the workshop details: "Friday, September 22 11.00am - 12.00pm (Pacific Time) Microsoft Teams." Beneath the text is a blue button that says "Register by July 30!" At the bottom of the image is an illustration of Braille Institute’s services personified in cartoon form with blue accents.
Everybody deserves to communicate with ease — and the California Connect program can help you with FREE specialized phones and devices. Next week, we’ll be offering two educational workshops in both Spanish and English, all about the California Connect program and how to qualify. Join us at the Coachella Library for an in-person Spanish workshop, or on Microsoft Teams for a remote English workshop.
Register with the link in our bio!
@caconnectprogram @coachellalibrary @rivcntylib
Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: In the top left corner of the image is the Braille Institute logo. In the top right corner is a dark blue box with white text that reads "Seminarios en linea gratuitos." Beneath that, in the center of the image, is the workshop title, "Programa de Acceso Telefónico de California" and the workshop details: "el miércoles 20 de septiembre 10.00am - 11.30am (hora estándar del Pacífico) La biblioteca de Coachella." Beneath the text is a blue button that says "Regístrese para el evento." At the bottom of the image is an illustration of Braille Institute’s services personified in cartoon form with blue accents.
Slide 2: In the top left corner of the image is the Braille Institute logo. In the top right corner is a dark blue box with white text that reads "Workshop Highlight." Beneath that, in the center of the image, is the workshop title, "All about the California Telephone Access Program" and the workshop details: "Friday, September 22 11.00am - 12.00pm (Pacific Time) Microsoft Teams." Beneath the text is a blue button that says "Register by July 30!" At the bottom of the image is an illustration of Braille Institute’s services personified in cartoon form with blue accents.
Meet Aaron! He’s a Braille Institute Youth Program student currently in his sophomore year of high school. Last year, Aaron participated in SoCal Cane Quest for the first time, and now he’s eagerly awaiting next month’s competition! When we asked Aaron to describe Cane Quest, he said, “It’s basically about trying your best. You know, even if you don’t win, that doesn’t mean you’re not gonna WIN. We’re all gonna be winners by participating!”
You can still sign up for our 2023 Southern California Regional Cane Quest on October 21 at Cal State LA! We’re inviting students of all grade levels to show off their white cane skills and celebrate Orientation & Mobility. Register today with the link in our bio.
Image Description: Aaron, a teenage boy wearing glasses and a SoCal Regional Cane Quest raglan shirt, smiles wide at the camera during the 2022 SoCal Cane Quest. At the bottom of the image is an ink blue banner with the Cane Quest logo and text: “We’re all gonna be winners by participating!” – Aaron, Cane Quest SoCal Participant.
Meet Aaron! He’s a Braille Institute Youth Program student currently in his sophomore year of high school. Last year, Aaron participated in SoCal Cane Quest for the first time, and now he’s eagerly awaiting next month’s competition! When we asked Aaron to describe Cane Quest, he said, “It’s basically about trying your best. You know, even if you don’t win, that doesn’t mean you’re not gonna WIN. We’re all gonna be winners by participating!”
You can still sign up for our 2023 Southern California Regional Cane Quest on October 21 at Cal State LA! We’re inviting students of all grade levels to show off their white cane skills and celebrate Orientation & Mobility. Register today with the link in our bio.
Image Description: Aaron, a teenage boy wearing glasses and a SoCal Regional Cane Quest raglan shirt, smiles wide at the camera during the 2022 SoCal Cane Quest. At the bottom of the image is an ink blue banner with the Cane Quest logo and text: “We’re all gonna be winners by participating!” – Aaron, Cane Quest SoCal Participant.
Great news! From now until November 15, every dollar will be TRIPLE-MATCHED, up to $100,000. That means your generous donation goes 3 times as far to help fill #BrailleInstitute libraries with more books, tools, and life-changing resources – all 100% FREE to people of all ages facing vision loss. Donate now to TRIPLE your impact! Link in bio.
Great news! From now until November 15, every dollar will be TRIPLE-MATCHED, up to $100,000. That means your generous donation goes 3 times as far to help fill #BrailleInstitute libraries with more books, tools, and life-changing resources – all 100% FREE to people of all ages facing vision loss. Donate now to TRIPLE your impact! Link in bio.
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.
Remembering Dr. Bill Takeshita—A Guiding Light
Dr. Bill Takeshita, OD, FAAO, FCOVF passed away on Friday,
InsightsCare Magazine Profiles Braille Institue
Positively Transforming the Lives of Those with Vision Loss
Braille Institute Of America Names James P. Kales As Chief Executive Officer
Braille Institute announced today that the Organization’s Board of Directors has named James P. Kales as Chief Executive Officer. He will assume day-to-day leadership of the organization as CEO on December 12, 2022. Kales, a leader in the non-profit sector, brings more than 25 years of experience working for organizations such as United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Braille Institute Establishes Partnership With CSULA to Provide Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Internships
LOS ANGELES -- September 14, 2022 -- Braille Institute has entered into an agreement with California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) to provide graduate students in their O&M program the ability to obtain hands-on experience by working with blind and visually impaired individuals at one of Braille Institute’s seven centers through a formal internship training program.
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.
