Daily Living Skills

Ready to master life with low or no vision? Our Daily Living Skills classes are your ticket to learn new ways you need to thrive. We’ll meet you where you are and help you live an independent life.

Educator presenting information on daily living skills to label bottles

Your Next Chapter is Your Best Chapter

Desert Hot Springs resident and Coachella Valley student Kathryn was diagnosed with Best Disease and referred to Braille Institute by her doctor. Our team has worked with Kathryn to make sure she has the daily living skills to still do what she loves to do.

Kathryn Student at Braille Institute in Anaheim

“Concentrate please on what you can do. Don’t worry about what you can’t. I can still cook. I can still go outside and go walking. I can still do my own shopping…These instructors and volunteers — they are angels from heaven here on earth.”

Our Daily Living Skills Classes

Empower yourself with knowledge and foster personal growth by enrolling in one of our Daily Living Skills classes. Explore our diverse options below.

Introduction To Vision Loss (Self Paced)

Workshop

Self-Paced

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.

A close up of an elderly woman's blue eye and her eyebrow

Take Me To The Movies

Class

Online

Watch and discuss audio described films and learn more about the art and history of cinema and its makers. Film lovers are welcome.

Thursdays, July 9 to September 24 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM PT

Festive, comic-like starry background graphic with the words movie time featuring a soda cup with straw and a red and white striped box of popcorn.

Introduction to Cooking with Low Vision

Class

In-Person

Learn microwave cooking techniques to prepare healthy and simple recipes safely and successfully.

Close-up of a student's hand on a microwave, their thumb over a bright orange bump dot over the 5 minute button.

Maximizing Vision Loss: Personal Grooming

Workshop

Self-Paced

Toothbrush and other personal hygiene items laid out.

Life Skills Video Quick Tips – Cooking

Workshop

Self-Paced

A collection of quick tip videos for making your way around the kitchen.

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Practical Low Vision Tips

While our daily living skills courses and resources offer detailed information about specific tools and goals, there are a few general guidelines you can follow if you’re just starting to look for low vision and independent living tips.

Make Life Pop with Colorful Contrast

Arrange brightly colored accessories near essential items in your home for easy location like contrasting dishes in your kitchen.
Opt for contrasting colors to highlight doorknobs, steps, door frames, outlets, or stair landings, reducing the risk of missteps and falls. This also enhances safety and improves visibility when performing various tasks around the house.

A man's hands stir a green spinach salad in a yellow bowl sitting on a black cutting board.

Infuse Your World with Light

Enhancing task lighting brightness improves visibility for reading, eating, and cooking activities.
Create overhead lighting with extra floor lamps to further boost overall illumination.
Minimize glare by removing mirrors that reflect light.
Opt for window coverings that, while not too dark, still permit ample natural light to filter through.

Senior woman reads words on an easel highlighted by task lighting while an instructor adjusts the light.

Embrace the Power of Tech

Technology-based tools for smartphones, computers, and tablets are designed to assist people with low vision.
Many applications can help with simple tasks such as magnifying text or objects.
These tools also support functions like reading text and identifying colors and money.
For more resources to help you navigate the digital world, check out our technology services.