Press Releases
Braille Institute Welcomes George Abbott to Board of Directors
Braille Institute Announces 2026 Community Hero Award Recipients
Braille Institute Invites Readers Everywhere to Join Free Nationwide Summer Reading Program Featuring Bestselling Authors, National Parks, and Immersive Storytelling
National Library Service Selects Braille Institute to Curate and Host Nine-Week “Unearth a Story” Series Open to All Readers Across the Country
2026 Braille Challenge Finalists Announced Following Record-Breaking Global Participation
Braille Institute Expands Braille Challenge to Kenya, Marking First Regional Competition in Africa
With the addition of Kenya, Braille Challenge now includes 70 regional competitions worldwide and has engaged more than 24,000 students over the past 25 years.
Braille Institute Wins Two Categories in 2025 Inc. Best In Business Awards
Distinguished Tech Executive Roberto Medrano To Board of Directors
Braille Institute of America proudly announces the appointment of Roberto Medrano to its Board of Directors.
Winners Announced at 25th Anniversary Braille Challenge Finals for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
“Braille literacy opens doors to independence, higher education, and employment,” said Jim (Dimitri) Kales, CEO of Braille Institute.
Community Hero Awards Celebrate Champions of Braille Literacy
Honoring organizations making a lasting impact on the education of blind and visually impaired
Braille Institute Welcomes Esteemed Legal Executive Effie Silva To Board of Directors
Global Corporate Counsel and Nonprofit Leader Joins Board to Help Propel Growth and Innovation Agenda
Braille Institute Names 2025 Teacher of the Year Audrey Graves
Nebraska Educator Recognized for Transformative Braille Instruction and Lifelong Impact
2025 Braille Challenge Finalists Announced as Competition Marks 25-Year Milestone
Braille Institute proudly announces the 50 finalists who will compete in the 2025 Braille Challenge Finals, a milestone year marking 25 years of promoting braille literacy and academic excellence among blind and visually impaired youth.
Braille Institute Launches Enhanced Atkinson Hyperlegible Font To Make Reading Easier
Braille Institute is proud to announce a new release of its award-winning typeface, Atkinson Hyperlegible. The enhanced version named Atkinson Hyperlegible Next, significantly expands the font’s capabilities, making it more versatile for readers, designers, and programmers around the globe.
Braille Institute Establishes Wildfire Relief Fund to Aid Blind and Visually Impaired Individuals Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
To address this urgent need, Braille Institute has established the Wildfire Relief Fund to support individuals who are blind or visually impaired and have been affected by these wildfires.
Braille Institute Celebrates 6th Annual “Assistive Technology Month” In January
Explore leading-edge tools to enhance independence and daily living for individuals with vision loss during free workshops in January.
Braille Institute Library to Host Livestream Event with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Andrew Leland on January 16, 2025
Leland to discuss his best-selling book, “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight.”
Braille Institute Unveils Highly Accessible Website for Visually Impaired and Sighted Visitors
Braille Institute is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, which sets a new standard in accessibility and usability for visitors who are blind, low vision, or sighted. This comprehensive redesign, created in partnership with iFactory, a leading digital marketing agency known for their work in web design and user-driven experience, demonstrates Braille Institute’s commitment to deliver an inclusive and positive web experience for all visitors. The site reflects user input and feedback gathered from interviews and usability testing with blind, low vision, and sighted people.
Braille Institute of America Announces Scott Blanks as Vice President, Accessibility and Employment
Braille Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Blanks as its Vice President of Accessibility and Employment. This new role underscores the organization’s commitment to innovation and expansion of services to better serve individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Braille Institute Of America Announces Allison M. Burdett As First Chief Program Officer
“Allison’s deep experience and visionary leadership make her the perfect fit for this pivotal role,” said Jim Kales, CEO of Braille Institute. “Her dedication to our mission, combined with her ability to innovate, will enable us to empower the blind and visually impaired in new and impactful ways.”
Braille Institute Names Winners of the 2024 Braille Challenge
50 Blind and Visually Impaired Children Participate in Unique Academic Competition
