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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQs
 
My family member is losing their sight. Where can I find services and programs in my area for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Can I order talking books on-line from Braille Institute's Library?
I'm a student and I'm doing a report on braille or blindness. Where can I find information about these subjects?
Can you provide me with statistics on blindness for my research project?
I'm a teacher and I'd like to get information and materials about blindness to share with my students. Where can I find them?
I am a teacher of children who are visually impaired. Where can I get information about the special needs of my students?
I want to learn braille. How do I get started?
I'm looking for computer hardware and software for people who are blind or visually impaired. Where can I go for information?
How can I volunteer for Braille Institute?
I'm interested in having printed material translated into braille. Can you help?
How do I order items from your Vistas' Store?
   
  My family member is losing their sight. Where can I find services and programs in my area for people who are blind or visually impaired?
  Call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553), Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (PST) and one of our volunteers can help you find a service agency near you. Or you can browse through our list of links to the home pages of blind service organizations and other nonprofit agencies in our Links section.
 
  Can I order talking books online from Braille Institute's Library?
  Yes, if you are currently a Braille Institute Library Patron, you may order talking books by e-mailing your requests to:

readers@braillelibrary.org

You also may browse the National Library Service's database of talking books online at:

http://nlscatalog.loc.gov


If you are not currently a Library Patron and live within our Southern California service area, you may download an application form from:

http://www.braillelibrary.org/BecomingaPatron/SigningUp.htm

Or you can request an application form by calling Braille Institute's Library toll-free line at: 1-800-808-2555.

If you live outside of Southern California, you can find the branch of the National Library Service nearest you by going to its web site:

http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/address.html
 
  I'm a student and I'm doing a report on braille or blindness. Where can I find information on these subjects?
  You can print many of our free fact sheets or request additional information by going to the Educational Information section of our Web site. You can also visit our Free Informational Packets section for additional information.
 
  Can you provide me with statistics on blindness for my research project?
  Braille Institute provides a number of statistics on blindness on our web site at:

http://www.brailleinstitute.org/services/General
Statisticsaboutblindness.htm


For more specific statistical information on blindness, contact one of the following organizations:

American Council of the Blind

1155 15th Street, N.W., Suite 720
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 1-800-424-8666
Web site: http://www.acb.org

American Foundation for the Blind

11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 1-800-232-5463
Web site: http://www.afb.org

National Center for Health Statistics

6525 Belcrest Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Phone: (301) 436-7016

National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 689-9314
Web site: http://www.nfb.org

Prevent Blindness America
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone:1-800-221-3004
Web site: http://www.preventblindness.org
E-mail: preventblindness@compuserve.com
 
  I'm a teacher and I'd like to get information and materials about blindness to share with my students. Where can I find them?
  You may request any of our free materials on blindness by going to the Free Informational Packets section of our web site. Packet #6 is especially for students and teachers.
 
  I am a teacher of children who are visually impaired. Where can I get information about the special needs of my students?
  You may request any of our free materials on blindness by going to the Free Informational Packets section of our Web site. You also may contact our Youth and Career Services staff for more information.
 
  I want to learn braille. How do I get started?
  For people who are blind, and living within Southern California:

Contact Braille Institute nearest you for free braille reading and writing classes:

Phone: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)
Phone hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (PST)
  Or, contact the California State Department of Rehabilitation:
  Los Angeles (323) 736-3904
  Anaheim (714) 935-2916
  San Diego (619) 495-3600
  San Bernardino (909) 383-4401
  Goleta (805) 681-8700
 
  For people who are blind, and living outside Southern California contact:
 

The American Printing House for the Blind
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206
1-800-223-1839
Web site: http://www.aph.org
Contact for the cost and availability of Braille textbooks.

BRL: Braille Through Remote Learning
Offers a free online instructional program that provides teachers, parents, social workers and current/future braille transcribers with a series of three integrated online courses in braille and braille transcribing.
Web site: http://www.brl.org

Hadley School for the Blind
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
1-800-323-4238
Web site: http://www.hadley-school.org/index.html
E-mail: info@hadley-school.org
Offers a free braille correspondence course.

 
  For people who are sighted, contact:
  Braille Institute Press
(323) 663-1111, Ext. 1513
Classes are sponsored by local chapters of the Transcribers' Guild throughout the region.

Library of Congress
Braille Development Section
1291 Taylor Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20542
1-800-424-8567
Offers a free correspondence course using print and braille materials.
 
  I'm looking for computer hardware and software for people who are blind and visually impaired. Where can I go for information?
  A good place to start your search is on our web site. You will find links to vendors of adaptive equipment in our Links section.
 
  How can I volunteer for Braille Institute?
  If you live in Southern California visit our Volunteer Opportunities page, or contact the regional location nearest you:
   
  Los Angeles Sight Center, Los Angeles
  Phone: (323) 663-1111 x1512
  E-mail:lavolserve@brailleinstitute.org
   
  Rancho Mirage Center, Rancho Mirage
  Phone: (760) 321-1111
  E-mail: dcvolserve@brailleinstitute.org
   
  Orange County Center, Anaheim
  Phone: (714) 821-5000
  E-mail: ocvolserve@brailleinstitute.org
   
  San Diego Center, San Diego
  Phone: (858) 452-1111
  E-mail: sdvolserve@brailleinstitute.org
   
  Santa Barbara Center, Santa Barbara
  Phone: (805) 682-2222
  E-mail: sbvolserve@brailleinstitute.org
 
  We are interested in having printed material translated into braille. Can you help us?
  Yes, contact Universal Media Services' Transcribing Department for more information.
Phone: (323) 663-1111, Ext. 1231
E-mail: transcribers@brailleinstitute.org
 
  How do I order items from your Vistas retail store?
  You may order adaptive items that simplify everyday life, including talking watches and large-print calendars from Vistas.

Phone: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)
Phone hours: Monday - Friday (9:00 am to 4:30 pm PST)
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Phone toll-free: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)

Phone hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PST)
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