Join Our Volunteer Impact Program
Our Volunteer Impact Program – a community of both virtual and in-person volunteers – helps blind and visually impaired people continue to read, engage in the arts, live healthier more independent lives, and stay connected through assistive technology.
Our dedicated volunteers provide thousands of hours of service each year joining us in our unwavering belief that we can transform the lives of those with vision loss.
Become a VIP today!
A volunteer helps a man learn to use an accessible desktop computer and large format keyboard.
Benefits of Volunteering
Boost Mental and Emotional Wellness
Studies show that helping others reduces stress, combats depression, and creates a greater sense of overall happiness.
Build New Friendships
Join a welcoming community of volunteers and staff who value connection, growth, and shared purpose.
Gain Valuable Experience
Enhance your skills in communication, education, accessibility, and assistive technology—great for students, professionals, and retirees alike.
Access Special Recognition Events
Enjoy exclusive volunteer celebrations and heartfelt thanks throughout the year.
Did you Know?
Volunteers provide 40,000 hours annually assisting with classes and workshops – both virtually and in-person?
Volunteer Voices
Beatriz G., Volunteer Instructor
Bilingual Cooking Class
Find Volunteer Opportunities by Location
Click arrows to expand opportunties.
Anaheim
Use your braille skills to help teach blind and visually impaired adults to learn braille. Volunteers must know and understand the braille UEB code and know how to both read and write in braille. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am and 1:00-3:00 pm. Volunteers may assist in one or two classes.
Youth Program Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist in our fun and active Youth Program. Assist blind and visually impaired youth at both onsite and community activities on select Saturdays, typically 10 am – 2 pm. Volunteers must be at least 18 and high school graduate. No experience working with visually impaired is required. Training will be provided.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Library Programming Volunteer
Assist with the planning and implementation of a Winter Reading Program for our Spanish Speaking Library Patrons. Great role for someone interested in pursuing a career in libraries.
Art/Craft Class Assistant
Share your creative side while assisting students create projects in one of our popular art classes – Ceramics, Mosaic, Collage and more! Classes meet once a week for two hours, 10:00-12:00 or 1:00-3:00. Training will be provided.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Art Class Assistant
Share your creative side while translating for Spanish speaking students. Assist students with art projects and help the instructor with set-up and clean-up. No experience with visually impaired necessary. We will train you. Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm.
Receptionist
Share your people skills while assisting at our busy reception area. Duties include answering phones, greeting and assisting students and guests and light clerical work. Various shifts are available Monday through Friday.
Exercise/Movement Class Instructor
Share your passion for fitness and help our students stay active. Instructors are needed for various types of movement classes: general exercise, yoga, dance, etc. No experience teaching visually impaired students is necessary. Training will be provided. Classes are offered once a week, 10:00-11:30 am or 1:00- 2:30 pm.
Library Volunteer
Assist Library patrons with book orders and general questions, sort our digital book collection and more! Volunteers should be personable, detail oriented and have general computer skills. Various 2-3 hours shifts are available Monday through Friday.
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Coachella Valley
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Laguna Hills
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Los Angeles
Admin/Clerical Support
Volunteer behind the scenes to support our busy Child Development Department. Duties include answering phones, compiling data, filing and basic computer tasks. Pleasant phone manner and basic computer skills required. Various shifts are available, Monday through Friday.
Friendly Greeter
Are you looking for a simple, yet interactive and fulfilling volunteer role? Volunteer Greeters welcome students and guests to our campus, direct and guide them to classes, and answer basic questions. No experience necessary. We will train you in how to effectively assist people who are blind and visually impaired. Various 2-3 hours shifts are available, Monday through Friday.
Library Outreach
Help spread the word about our incredible Library Services! Duties include researching and contacting community organizations and library patrons. Volunteers are also needed to assist in representing Braille Institute at community events. Good customer service skills are a must as well as basic computer skills, including internet searching and Microsoft Excel. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus! 2-3 hour per week time commitment, Monday through Friday.
Library Circulation
Volunteer behind the scenes in the Circulation Department of Braille Institute’s unique library! Duties include sorting our book collection, shelving and preparing audio book cartridges to be mailed to blind and visually impaired library patrons. No experience necessary – just a willingness to help and attention to detail. Various 2-4 hour shifts are available, Monday through Friday.
Library Reader Services
Library Reader Services Volunteers mail out packets, call library patrons with information, and assist with other clerical duties. A pleasant phone manner is required and bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus. Various 2-4 hours shifts are available, Monday through Friday.
Library Machine Repair
Use your “fix-it” skills to help keep digital audio book players in circulation for our library patrons. Volunteers will repair, clean and charge/change batteries on the digital players. Training will be provided. Hours are flexible.
American Sign Language Interpreter/Aide
Use your ASL skills to assist students in our Deaf/Blind Program. Experience and conversational skills with ASL is required. Training in the development of Tactile ASL skills will be provided. Hours are Fridays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
Assistive Technology Greeter
Connection Pointe, Braille Institute’s busy technology lab, needs volunteers to help create a welcoming experience for blind and visually impaired students. Duties include greeting students, assisting with getting them set-up at a computer and recording names for call back appointments. Additional assistance with technology is an option. Various 2-4 hour shifts are available, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Karate Class Assistant
Assist the Karate Instructor in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for students. Volunteer will also assist with set-up and clean up. No Karate experience necessary – just enthusiasm and a willingness to help. Classes meet on Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-2:00.
Exercise Class Assistant
Have fun while assisting adult students in one of our popular exercise classes. Duties include helping students to perform movements correctly and safely, following the teacher’s instructions. Classes meet once a week for one hour. Training will be provided.
Art/Craft Class Assistant
Share your creative side while assisting students create projects in one of our popular art classes – Basketry, Ceramics, Mosaic, Paper Mache, Quilting and more! Classes meet once a week for two hours. Training will be provided.
Sewing Class Assistant
Volunteers are needed to assist in sewing classes. Duties include cutting fabric and helping students with their projects. Sewing skills are helpful but not necessary. No experience working with visually impaired required. Classes meet on Mondays, 9:30 am-12:00 pm and 1:00-3:00 pm.
Yoga Instructor
Share your yoga experience with blind and visually impaired adults. A volunteer instructor is needed to teach beginning to intermediate yoga, making modifications as necessary. No experience working with visually impaired required. Weekly class times are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 am or 1:00 pm.
Dance Instructor
Have fun teaching blind and visually impaired adults your favorite dance style. Salsa, Line, Hip Hop, Ballroom – anything goes! No experience working with visually impaired required. Weekly class times are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 am or 1:00 pm.
Beginning Voice/Singing Class Assistant
Share your passion for music with others! We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to teach a Beginning Voice class to our blind and visually impaired adults. Duties include guiding students through vocal warm-ups, techniques and exercises. Volunteers should be comfortable working with singers of different age and skill levels. Classes meet one day a week, 10 am-12 pm or 1 pm – 2 pm.
No experience working with blind and visually impaired required. Training will be provided.
Volunteer Class Assistant
Assist instructors with helping students in various core and enrichment classes. No experience necessary. We will train you in how to effectively assist people who are blind and visually impaired. Duties also include greeting and guiding students to and from class, along with taking attendance and performing light clerical duties. Various 2-3 hours shifts are available, Monday through Friday.
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Riverside
Receptionist/Front Desk
Use your people skills while assisting in our reception area. Duties include answering phones, greeting and assisting students and guests, and light clerical work. Various shifts are available Monday through Friday.
Exercise/Movement Class Instructor
Share your passion for fitness and help our students stay active. Instructors are needed for various types of movement classes: general exercise, yoga, dance, tai chi etc. No experience teaching visually impaired students is necessary. Training will be provided. Classes are offered once a week, Monday through Friday, typically 1- 1.5 hours.
Arts & Crafts Instructor
If you have a crafty side, come share it with our blind and visually impaired students! We’re interested in all types of arts and crafts. No experience teaching visually impaired students is necessary. Training will be provided. Classes are offered once a week, Monday through Friday, typically 1- 1.5 hours.
See below for Virtual Opportunities
San Diego
Assist Library patrons with book orders and general questions, sort our digital book collection and more! Volunteers should be personable, detail oriented and have general computer skills. Various 2-3 hours shifts are available Monday through Friday.
Youth Program Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist in our fun and active Youth Program. Assist blind and visually impaired youth at both onsite and community activities on select Saturdays, typically 10 am- 2 pm. Volunteers must be at least 18 and high school graduate. No experience working with visually impaired is required. Training will be provided.
Receptionist
Share your people skills while assisting at our busy reception area. Duties include answering phones, greeting and assisting students and guests and light clerical work. 12-3 pm shifts are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Santa Barbara
Creative Arts Instructor
Share your passion for art with our blind and visually impaired students. Painting, ceramics and general crafts instructors are needed. 1.5 hour-long classes meet once a week, Monday through Friday.
Receptionist
Share your people skills while assisting at our busy reception area. Duties include answering phones, greeting and assisting students and guests and light clerical work. Various shifts are available Monday through Friday.
Ukelele/Guitar Instructor
Share your love of music with our blind and visually impaired students. A beginning guitar and/ukulele instructor is needed. 1.5 hour-long classes meet once a week, Monday through Friday.
Yoga Instructor
Teach beginning yoga to blind and visually impaired adults. We have space, mats and eager students — we just need a teacher! 1.5 hour-long classes meet once a week, Monday through Friday.
See below for Virtual Opportunities
Virtual
Volunteer from the comfort of your home! We need volunteers with some technology confidence to monitor our online classes. Duties include letting students into class from the lobby, taking attendance and troubleshooting. Training on Microsoft Teams will be provided. Classes are on various weekdays, 10:00 -11:30 am and 1:00-2:30 pm.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Virtual Class Monitor
Volunteer from the comfort of your home. We need a bilingual volunteer with some technology confidence to monitor our online Book Club for Spanish Speakers. Duties include letting students into class from the lobby, taking attendance and troubleshooting. Training on Microsoft Teams will be provided. The class meets one Wednesday per month from 1:00-2:30.
Brain Games Instructor
Share your love of brain games while volunteering from the comfort of your home! We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to plan and facilitate a fun and interactive online class for blind and visually impaired adults. The class can be offered any weekday morning or afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do as a volunteer? How do I get started?
Check out the available volunteer opportunities at the center nearest you. If something matches your skills and interest, fill out and submit the Volunteer Interest Form and someone from our Volunteer Impact Program will contact you.
Do I need experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired to volunteer?
Do I need to know braille to volunteer?
What is the length of commitment for volunteering?
The length of a volunteer commitment varies, depending on the role. The commitment needed could be as short as one day for a special event or workshop, four weeks for a class, or an ongoing weekly assignment. We will work with your schedule!
Is there an age requirement to volunteer?
Braille Institute volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Age restrictions may apply to some volunteer roles.
Will I need a background check to volunteer?
Yes, if you are selected as a volunteer, you will need to be fingerprinted and cleared before you begin your assignment. Braille Institute will cover the fee for your background check.
