World Braille Day

  The Inventor of the Braille touch reading system , Louis Braille was Born in 1809.

Join us for an engaging and practical workshop designed to make everyday shopping easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable for Adults with vision impairment . In this session, we’ll explore a variety of helpful strategies—from organizing, creating shopping lists and identifying products with confidence . Participants will learn about assistive tools and techniques, including smartphone features, accessible apps, labeling techniques, and strategies for communicating with store staff. Workshop " Smart Shopping Tips ." Thursday, January 22, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM PT Thursday, February 19, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM PT Online / Laguna Hills

Discover how the Apple Watch can support your daily life with accessibility features like Siri , VoiceOver , and Zoom. Learn to navigate, read messages, and check health information using speech and magnification . This workshop includes live demos showing how blind and visually impaired users can make the most of their Apple Watch for independence and convenience. Workshop entitled"  Getting Started with Apple Watch ." Wednesday, January 14, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM PT Online / Anaheim

Join the Workshop entitled '' Getting Started with NVDA Screen Reader '' to Learn how NVDA, a free screen reader, can help you perform common tasks on your PC computer. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT Online / Laguna Hills

Tackle everyday travel anxiety and learn how to plan for a successful outing in this collaborative workshop space. Workshop entitled '' Planning for Safe Travel ." Thursday, January 8, 2026 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PT Online / Santa Barbara

This workshop provides a brief introduction and overview of what to expect with the upcoming class: A Matter of Balance. Attendees may ask questions or voice their concerns prior to signing up to the program as it will be capped at 12 participants. ‘ A Matter of Balance’ is an evidence-based program designed to help its participants manage falls and increase activity levels while reducing fears alongside others in a small group format . Those who are concerned about falls, interested in improving balance/flexibility/strength, who have fallen in the past, or those who have restricted activities because of falling concerns would be a good match to take part in this workshop to understand whether it is an appropriate fit. Workshop on the " Concerns About Falling? It's a Matter of Balance ." Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM PT. Online / Anaheim

In this 15-minute mini workshop, learn how to turn your iPhone into a digital magnifier to make reading easier. Workshop entitled " Turn Your iPhone Into A Digital Magnifier ". Tuesday, January 20, 2026 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM PT. Online / Anaheim.

Discover the many ways to enjoy books on your computer with tools like BARD Express, Bookshare, and more. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to access a wide range of audio and large-print titles, explore different digital reading platforms, and find the options that best fit your reading needs. Tuesday, January 13, 2026 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM PT Workshop entitled '' From Audio to Large Print: Discover Ways to Read Digitally .'' Online / Los Angeles

Stay up-to-date with the latest innovations in assistive technology designed for individuals with low or no vision. In this interactive online discussion, the group will share news, insights, and practical applications of new tools and devices. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and explore how emerging technologies can support independence and daily living. Workshop entitled '' What’s New In Assistive Technology ''. Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM PT. Online / Laguna Hills.

Get ready to travel with confidence! This workshop covers the essential tools, technology, and tips every traveler with low or no vision should know before stepping out of the door. Workshop entitled '' Essential Tools and Tips for Independent Travel .'' Tuesday, January 20, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM PT. Online / Los Angeles

Discover the purpose and power of the white cane. A Hands-on interactive workshop designed for individuals with low or no vision, participants will learn how the white cane can enhance safety, boost confidence, and promote independence in everyday trave l. Workshop on " Introduction to the White Cane ''. Tuesday, January 27, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM PT Online / Los Angeles

Join us for an engaging online workshop where we’ll explore the latest tools and technology designed to make daily life easier and more independent . From kitchen aids and labeling tools to accessible apps and smart home gadgets, you’ll discover a variety of helpful devices that support greater comfort and convenience. During this interactive virtual session, participants will have the opportunity to see demonstrations, share experiences, and learn which products and technologies best fit their lifestyle and needs—all from the comfort of home. Workshop entitled " Adaptive Tools and Tech for Independent Living ." Workshop Tuesday, January 20, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT Tuesday, February 17, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT Tuesday, March 17, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT

Individuals will learn how the white cane can benefit them no matter if they are low vision or have no vision, and how it can be a helpful tool to travel as safely and independently as possible. Workshop entitled '' White Cane Benefits ''. Tuesday, January 20, 2026 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM PT Online / Riverside.

Discover how adaptive kitchen tools and small appliances can make cooking safer, easier, and more independent. This remote workshop introduces a wide range of accessible kitchen gadgets, tactile aids, and small appliances that simplify meal preparation and everyday cooking tasks. Through live demonstrations and detailed descriptions, participants will learn how to identify, choose, and use tools that match their needs and confidence level in the kitchen . Workshop entitled '' Accessible Kitchen Tools and Small Appliances ." Tuesday, January 13, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT Tuesday, February 10, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT Tuesday, March 10, 2026 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM PT Online / Riverside

  Whether through technological innovations or increased support for braille literacy programs , it is important that we continue to work towards a world where everyone has the tools and resources they need to achieve their full potentia l.

  The braille system has been a crucial tool for people with vision loss to gain access to education, employment, and independence . It has allowed them to fully participate in society and has helped to break down many of the barriers that they face.

  In 1812, in the small village of Coupvray, France, 3-year-old Louis Braille  played in his father’s harness shop next to the family’s house. His father was one of the best harness makers in the area. Mr. Braille also made reins, saddles and collars for the villagers’ horses. He cut strips of leather and punched holes in the leather with sharp tools. Louis had been warned that he was too young to play with the tools in the shop. That day, Mr. Braille stepped outside the shop to help a customer. Louis thought he would try to punch a hole in a piece of leather just like his father did. He grabbed the tool and tried to push it through the leather. He didn’t have the strength of his father. He tried again, pushing harder. The tool slipped from his hand and flew up and into his left eye. Louis screamed with pain. His parents, two sisters and brother ran to help him. They put a cloth over his eye. There was no hospital in Coupvray. The closest doctor was very far away. They took ...

    The story so far: At age 3, Louis Braille became blind after playing with a tool in his father’s harness shop. Mr. Louis Braille carved a small wooden cane for Louis to help the boy feel things that were ahead of him when he walked. When Louis was 6, a new priest came to town. The priest gave Louis lessons for a year, but Louis wanted to go to the village school with the other children. So a classmate agreed to pick him up each morning and lead him to school. Louis listened to the teacher and memorized what he heard. Even though he couldn’t read or write, he was the best student in the class . He studied there for three years. At times Louis Braille was frustrated because he could not read or write. The priest and the principal thought Louis would do better in a school for blind students . There was only one school like this in France — the Royal Institute for Blind Youth . It was in Paris, 25 miles away. Louis’ parents were reluctant to let him go away from home. He was...

The story so far: Louis Braille studied at a school for blind students where the few books made for the blind were heavy and hard to read. A retired French army captain, Charles Barbier, came to visit the Royal Institute for Blind Youth. He had invented a way for soldiers to send messages to each other at night without needing light or having to talk. If they had to use light or make noise, the enemy could spot the soldiers and shoot at them. With a pointed tool, the captain punched dots and dashes into heavy paper. The dots and dashes represented different sounds . These marks were combined to form words and could be read without light or sound. But the soldiers found it too difficult to use. The captain thought blind students might be able to use it instead. The students tried to read some of the messages but they also found the system complicated to learn and difficult to use. Many dots were required to represent a single word. Still, it took up less space than the existing proc...

The story so far: Louis Braille spent his spare time at his school for the blind trying to improve on a night writing system so blind students could learn to read and write. Louis’ classmates at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth tried out his new Braille alphabet system . They were delighted to find how well it worked. Now they could take notes in class. Memorizing long class lectures wasn’t necessary any more. They didn’t need anyone’s help to read or write. Louis was very happy that his classmates liked his new code, but he wanted other blind people to be able to use it too. The school director wrote to the French government and asked if Louis’ dot alphabet could be made the official system of writing for the blind. In the meantime, Louis became an assistant teacher at the institute. His classes were very popular. He also spent a lot of time copying books into his code. He even added symbols so that blind musicians could read and write music. He eventually had a book published...