No matter your age, Braille Institute has something to help you lead an enriched and fulfilling life. Thanks to our donors, all programs are FREE.
Access our full array of services by becoming a student. Find out if you’re eligible, and sign up today!
What We Offer
We offer a variety of services, classes, & workshops. Take our quiz to get personalized recommendations
Filtered recommendations just for you:
Adult
Those with low or no vision, and their loved ones
Youth
Ages 7-19
Child
Birth to age 6
From Group Classes to One-on-One Consultations
Get personalized support tailored to meet your specific needs or connect with others in one of our dynamic group classes.
Services for Adults
Come In-Person or Learn at Home
We have seven centers located around Southern California that you can visit. If you prefer staying at home, we’ve also got your back. Explore our in-home services and virtual options to access classes remotely.
Locations
Explore Offerings by Topic
Interested in cooking? Art? The latest tech? Explore our wide range of offerings by narrowing down your search based on your topic of interest.
See All Offerings
Learn How to Become a Student
As a student, you’ll gain full access to our extensive range of free classes, workshops, and resources. Talk with our staff and learn how you can get started.
Join Braille Institute
Explore Our Library
We have over 120,000 books to discover: books on demand, hard copy braille books, large print books.
Library
In-Person and Online
Our youth cook, kayak, talk AI and tech, create zines, read, make music and podcasts, attend audio described events and so much more.
Expanded Core Curriculum
With free programs that range from a focus on the Expanded Core Curriculum to braille literacy our aim is to create a solid foundation for school-age youth to develop into independent young adults.
National Programs
Our hallmark Braille Challenge national braille literacy competition and Cane Quest’s challenging orientation and mobility contest, enables us to cover the United States, Canada the United Kingdom and beyond to support youth in their quest for independence.
Whatever program your youth chooses, they can count on empowerment and forever friendships with us! Learn more here.
Braille Institute’s Child Development Program is committed to letting kids (ages 0-6) be kids and helping them grow up to reach their full potential, regardless of their visual impairment.
Opportunities
In addition to one-on-one consulations, we host a variety of events from educational series with medical experts to community parent groups. Free Dots for Tots book kits are provided each year to increase braille literacy and foster a love a reading.
Our goal is to assist parents in locating resources and support to maximize their child’s growth and development. Learn more here.
Join Our Low Vision Advisory Panel
Provide feedback and offer suggestions on how we can better serve users with low vision programs and services.
Featured Offerings
Workshop
In the Self-Guided study, you can watch or listen to video that covers common eye diseases, what we can offer and how to become a part of the Braille Institute community, where services are always free.
Class
In this class, we listen to and discuss classic rock music of the 60’s and 70’s, focusing on the words but not neglecting the music to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the works, their creators, and the times.
- Wednesdays, October 7 to December 16 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM PT
Class
Learn printmaking, or making multiple copies of an artwork. Students will use objects and inks to create a 2D composition, then utilize a printing press to create copies.
- Thursdays, July 9 to September 24 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
Library Services at Your Fingertips
Unleash your imagination with our Braille Institute library.
Receive books by mail, download them, or visit us on site. All free of charge with no waiting or late fees.
Shop Our Store
Find items to make everyday tasks easier in our online shop. We offer over 300 products from lighting, magnifiers, assistive technology tools, orientation and mobility products, talking clocks and kitchen accessories to games for adults and children.
