Braille Institute

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. The Institute provides an environment of hope and encouragement for people who are blind and visually impaired through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services.

Braille Institute offers a wide array of programs and services designed to help people with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives. Funded entirely by private donations, all of our services are completely free of charge.

We offer free services for Adults, Young Adults, Youth and Children.  We also have a fleet of Mobile Solutions vans that travel throughout the Southland, bringing services to your community.

Our award-winning Braille Institute Library offers more than 1.4 million books on audio, in braille, and in large-print format, for those who are visually impaired or physically disabled.  Our new technology centers, called Connection Pointe, are now open and can help you learn about the latest in mainstream and accessible technology.

Free Services for Blind & Visually Impaired Adults

Braille Institute typically provides on-site services for adults at regional and neighborhood centers, as well as community programs in your area at hundreds of outreach locations throughout Southern California.

We currently offer services remotely online, over-the-phone and in-person with required COVID protocols.

We offer a wide range of educational, social, and recreational classes and workshops for adults, geared toward living well with low vision.

Free Low Vision Consultations are available to help our clients make the most of their remaining vision. Find out how through mainstream technology and adaptive devices such as magnifiers and CCTVs day-to-day life can be made easier.

Braille Institute offers programs for blind and visually impaired youth, both nationally, and here in Southern California. Click the links below for more information how to get your child involved!

Braille Challenge

The Braille Challenge® is an academic competition designed to motivate braille literacy in blind and visually impaired students. The purpose is to emphasize their study of braille, while rewarding their success with fun-filled, but challenging, local and national events. Any visually impaired student who reads braille is eligible to participate in the preliminary Braille Challenge events, which are held from January through the end of March throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Cane Quest

Cane Quest is a challenging orientation and mobility contest for students in grades 3-12. There are several Cane Quest regional events across the country that your child can compete in! Visit the Cane Quest regional events page to learn more about the event.

If you are an Orientation and Mobility Specialist and would like to help support this program and earn CEUs, please contact the appropriate regional coordinator or download and complete the O&M volunteer application form provided.

Special Collection

Free Braille Books & Storybook Kits!

The Braille Special Collection program is designed to increase braille literacy and foster a love of reading by providing blind and visually impaired children with FREE braille books and storybook kits throughout the year. The books are completely free of charge for any blind/visually impaired child or VI teacher by signing up for the Special Collection.

Child Development

Our Child Development Program offers free early intervention services designed to educate families about the developmental needs of children and families who are blind and visually impaired. Our trained Child Development Consultants work with parents and family, as well as medical and educational professionals, to respond to the needs of these infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Any child living in the Southern California area —from birth to age 6 — who is blind or visually impaired is eligible for Child Services.

Youth Program

Braille Institute’s Youth Program aims to create a solid foundation among school-age youth (ages 7 to 19) by working with educators and parents through workshops led by our Child Development Program, to set realistic goals based on each student’s ability. Our curriculum supports the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.

Summer Reading Program

Braille Institute’s Summer Reading Program offers children and teens of all abilities the opportunity to participate in a fun and friendly challenge. Designed to encourage braille literacy and prevent the “summer slide” in reading achievement, participants read as much as they can during the summer months to strengthen their classroom confidence and have fun.

We provide assistance at our regional centers in Southern California (Anaheim, Laguna Hills, Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage, San Diego and Santa Barbara) and through 200 Community Outreach programs