Braille Institute

We're proud to share that ACB scholarship recipient EmmaGrace Olech is a finalist in the 2026 Braille Challenge, taking place June 25–27 in Los Angeles! EmmaGrace earned top scores among more than 2,000 competitors who took part in this year’s Braille Challenge season.

EmmaGrace is from San Antonio and will attend Texas A&M University this fall, where she plans to study biomedical sciences. Please join us in cheering her on as she competes in the world's premier braille literacy competition organized by the Braille Institute.

Learn more about the Braille Challenge at https://www.brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge/

Don't miss out! Our first author event of the summer is happening tomorrow at 1:00 PM PT. Join us for an exciting conversation with Peter Heller and Maeve Conran about The Dog Stars, The Orchard, and how landscape becomes a character.

Sign up for FREE today: https://bit.ly/4xAGBda

Join us for a live author event featuring best-selling author Peter Heller in conversation with Colorado Public Radio Journalist Maeve Conran!

They will discuss Heller’s books The Orchard and The Dog Stars, environmentalism, the near future, and what it means for landscape to become a character.

It’s a great opportunity to dive deeper into the story before catching The Dog Stars as a major motion picture this August, directed by Academy Award-winning director Ridley Scott and starring Oscar-nominated actor Jacob Elordi.

When: Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00 PM PT

Where: Live via Zoom

Anyone is welcome to join! Sign up for free today: https://bit.ly/4dKz7eo

Image Description: Graphic promoting the Peter Heller in Conversation with Maeve Conran event, featuring the Unearth a Story logo, headshots of both speakers, the workshop information, an image of The Dog Stars cover, and a worn vintage map detail at the bottom.

Living with visual impairment can shape how a person experiences the world around them. Yet visual impairment is one of the most significant and least understood aspects of albinism.

International Albinism Awareness Day today reminds us of why accessibility, representation, education, and support matter.

From large print materials and assistive technology to orientation support and accessible classrooms, the right resources can help individuals with albinism participate more fully and independently in everyday life.

Everyone deserves environments that recognize their needs and prioritize them.

At Braille Institute, we acknowledge the importance of accessibility and ongoing advocacy for individuals with albinism worldwide.

Image Description: Light gray background with purple and yellow circular line accents features the Braille Institute logo at the top center. Dark navy and purple text reads: "Support inclusion and accessibility this International Albinism Awareness Day." Below, a circular photo framed in purple and yellow borders shows a young man and a young woman, both with albinism, standing back-to-back against a neutral tan background.

During this Cataract Awareness Month, here’s your reminder to pay more attention to the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options that can support better long-term eye health and independence.

Some common symptoms may include:
• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light or glare
• Faded or dull-looking colors
• Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions

The good news is that cataracts are treatable, and regular eye exams can help you identify changes early.

Learn more about cataracts and how we can help you and your loved ones via our website: https://bit.ly/3RBViMj

Image Description: Graphic featuring a photo of an older woman undergoing an eye examination as a bright light illuminates her iris, the Braille Institute logo, and the headline: "Prioritize your vision this Cataract Awareness Month." followed by a blue button that reads, "Schedule a routine eye exam today." At the bottom, a link invitation reads: "Learn more about cataracts here: https://bit.ly/3RBViMj."

We are excited to announce that we’re participating in the All Ages Summer Reading Program with Braille Institute Library and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled! This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story.”

From June 15 through August 11, we’ll be digging into stories about landscapes, history, science, archives, and more through live virtual author conversations and immersive, narrated tours through National Parks.

Register for FREE today: https://bit.ly/4u4YQnU

Planning for the future doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Join us for a free online estate planning workshop, featuring experts Katie Gardner, JD, and Jeffrey Lewis II, CFP, from Bernstein Private Wealth Management.

Date: Wednesday, June 10

Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

You’ll learn the basic components of an estate plan, the purpose behind many estate planning techniques, and how to incorporate charitable strategies as part of your plan for the future—including tax-efficient ways to support Braille Institute’s free services.

Registration closes tomorrow, so don’t wait! Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3RO7XMq

Image Description: Graphic with ink blue accents featuring headshots of Katie Gardner, JD, and Jeffrey Lewis II, CFP, from Bernstein Private Wealth Management and the workshop information.

Join us for a live author event featuring best-selling author Peter Heller in conversation with Colorado Public Radio Journalist Maeve Conran!

They will discuss Heller’s books The Orchard and The Dog Stars, environmentalism, the near future, and what it means for landscape to become a character.

It’s a great opportunity to dive deeper into the story before catching The Dog Stars as a major motion picture this August, directed by Academy Award-winning director Ridley Scott and starring Oscar-nominated actor Jacob Elordi.

When: Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00 PM PT

Where: Live via Zoom

Anyone is welcome to join! Sign up for free today: https://bit.ly/4dKz7eo

Image Description: Graphic promoting the Peter Heller in Conversation with Maeve Conran event, featuring the Unearth a Story logo, headshots of both speakers, the workshop information, an image of The Dog Stars cover, and a worn vintage map detail at the bottom.

Congratulations to our 2026 Community Hero Award recipients!

We’re proud to recognize these six extraordinary organizations and leaders who are breaking barriers, expanding access, and transforming opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.

The 2026 Community Hero Award recipients are:

- Waymo (Corporation)
- artifact (Small Business)
- California State University, Los Angeles (Education/Community Partner)
- LA Galaxy Foundation (Nonprofit)
- Glaucoma Research Foundation (Nonprofit)
- California State Senator Monique Limón (Government)

Read our full press release and learn more about this year’s winners here: https://bit.ly/3S2egvM

Image Description: Bold white text in a yellow circle on an ink blue background reads, "Congratulations to the 2026 Community Hero Award recipients!" The Braille Institute "b" icon sits in the center of the circle, almost transparent, and the Braille Institute logo is at the bottom of the circle.

Ready to launch a summer of stories? Join us for an opening program featuring special guests, including National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) Director Jason Broughton and ornithologist Juan Pablo Culasso Alsonso!

Anyone is welcome to join—no library membership required! Sign up for FREE today: https://bit.ly/4u4YQnU

Image Description: Rounded green box atop a faded vintage map with the Unearth a Story logo at the top, the text "Launch a summer of stories with our kick-off event featuring NLS Director Jason Broughton and ornithologist Juan Pablo Culasso Alsonso!" then the date, time, and location of the event: Monday, June 15 at 1:00 PM PT, Online via Zoom.