Really liked the library the most. Super helpful and knowledgeable staff. Got us hooked up with audio books on cassettes, a player, headphones, and a cool canvas bag. I originally came here to visit the store. The store staff lady was a little bit salty and reluctantly helpful (stood there and answered questions, but did not have any suggestions when asked or exhibit friendliness and eagerness to help), but facilitated my final purchases quickly. There was not a lot in the store for people who were 100% blind, which surprised me. She gave me the name of an external resource. This was my first time visiting the Braille Institute and it's pretty cool that they offer the resources they do. It's tough that there are not many places where you can walk in and talk to people other than the library. You have to make appointments. Heard good things about the classes - tai chi, jewelry, social, orientation and mobility, etc. I saw opportunities to attend live author readings that were spooky for Halloween, Looking into volunteer opportunities. read more

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DO NOT DONATE TO THIS ORGANIZATION or they will hound you relentlessly. I like their atkinson hyperlegible font, but I made the mistake of donating to them & they started spamming me by email and postal mail, even after I asked them to stop. This is a terrible organization. I used to be a fan, but now I'm their biggest detractor. read more

Always love buying my canes from Braille since I've had excellent service plus staff is courteous both on and off the phone

My mom is legally blind and has been taking classes at the Braille Institute for over 10 years. I was truly amazed at all the "free" classes that the Braille Institute has to offer. Some of the classes but not limited to are; ceramics, chair aerobics, IPad and IPhone tutorial courses, computer , life skills, drama, current and past news, and journal writing. They have a cafeteria (very reasonable prices) and the food was really good They also have a store where customers who are visually impaired can find a plethora of items to purchase. Hats off to the Braille and all their donors who so generously donate their time and money to make this place run like s well oiled machine and give the visually impaired a place to do everything a sighted person does. read more

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HORRIBLE customer service, especially the Vistas Store, they don't make the students a priority. The lady Milva should retire or something because she has no compassion for helping students. They also do a horrible job in communicating. They should be grateful and realize why they even have jobs there because of the customers (Vermont location) read more

Mindy Leventhal is a cooking teacher there and she is super racist doesn't want to have Spanish speakers in her classroom. She told a student I don't know why they keep putting Spanish speakers in my class and the student is blind, she doesn't help there to the desk she just bangs on her desk and figures they'll know where to sit according to the sound of her banging. She is very mean and disrespectful. She keeps harassing the students there and blackmails them saying if you tell on me I will lie and say you screamed at me. Nobody wants to help students. read more

A non-profit dedicated to aiding those inflicted with a loss of sight, from low vision to complete blindness. In certain cases, the institute also works with other types of disabilities. Paperwork to get enrolled was kind of a pain, but once approved, it's been fine. Braille Institute offers classes (similar to going to a community college) ranging from the obvious (learning braille, mobility courses, exercises, independent living course, computer courses, etc.) along with the more casual (singing, instrumental, art courses, sports talk). Much like a community college too, the age of students here vary from young adult to elderly. And then there's the added benefit of community, having those around you dealing with the same problem. My brother has been blind for over a year now, but only started attending this year, so I speak from a third-person perspective. He doesn't particularly enjoy coming here. Here's why... Distance. While Braille Institute has locations throughout the United States, this facility happens to be located in downtown. That's about 40 minutes drive from home. Not exactly convenient, especially for someone with my brother's temperament and particular medical situation (it's complicated). Wish there were more locations. My brother gives the impression that the courses aren't particularly interesting. Whether that's the fault of the courses offered or attended, or just his own personal bias and failure to accept his ailment (I believe it's all the above). For example, the exercise courses here are very basic, nothing like a gym setting, but more along the lines of demonstrating range of motion. The mobility course is one-on-one instruction, with an instructor that can come to your home to help get around the house and neighborhood, as well as around the Braille facility. To me and my family, our instructor Sabrina is the face of Braille; a shining example of assistance, patience, and courtesy. Facilities include underground parking, library, classrooms, cafeteria, restrooms, counselor offices, amongst others. Front desk helps you get around. Registration office helps you sign up for classes, which I believe run by semesters, but classes are repeatable and ongoing. There is a storefront within the facilities called Vistas, which you can purchase supplies like canes, kitchen utensils, talking scales and alarm clocks, writing tools, and a few games. Though if I were to rate Vistas by itself, I would give them a 3, because they don't offer services such as stringing together canes, as well as not having prices labeled on their merchandise. I wished there were more to help, but I wonder if that's the fault a visual-stimuli society not putting effort and resources to such an affliction. Sadly, budget cuts may also be a contributing factor. For example, the cafeteria was shut down 6 years ago. 6 years?! All that being said, there are volunteer opportunities here for those that'd like to be more involved. Despite the shortcomings, Braille Institute is a great resource for those willing and ready to move on with life without sight, and for that I am a fan. read more

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I called to find out for my sister who is legally blind but I too was passed over to a voicemail where I left a message but no call back yet. Hopefully, can receive a call back soon re: what's available at the facility. thanks! read more

Poor communication They rarely contact the students to let them know that the classes have been canceled !! I take off work, drive 15 miles, wasting time and gas and get here to find out that the class is canceled. This has happened countless times and I'm so freakin sick of it!!!! Get it together!!!! read more

It started with my driving past it several times when I first moved to L.A. It peaked my interest. I'm from Florida . . . we don't have institutions like this back there. I think it's a fantastic opportunity for people with disabilities to learn new trades, gain skill sets and be better understood. With that said, I was so impressed with this non profit, that I submitted my application to volunteer. read more

I remember volunteering here a long time ago and the amount and types of resources made available for people with vision impairment amazed me. The tapes and other literary materials get distributed to their doors, thus eliminating the need for transportation. Working in the press department made me want to learn their alphabet reading. As I extremely love reading, the work was gratifying for me because I knew the importance of my work. Their staff was extremely nice and thankful for my voluntary work. I remember one department manager getting down on his knee and kissed the back of my hand due to his being so thankful because they were shorthanded one day and I came in to volunteer. This is one institution worth giving donations to. read more

My experience at the Los Angeles Braille institute has been nothing short of fantastic! From day one, I have been shown nothing but professionalism and kindness. My instructors are attentive and friendly. My mobility tech took her time when helping me navigate Union Station, which I now can do by myself. Learning to read Braille is not easy, however my instructor has the patience of a saint when dealing with my frustration. My experience with applying was quick and simple. I submitted my application on a Monday, by the following Wednesday I was invited to take a tour and ready to start my classes the following Monday. My experience with the Braille Institute has been great. If your thinking about becoming a student, I highly recommend it! read more

We highly recommend the Braille Institute. We went 3 times for private appointments and Beth, Jane and Neelima were EXTREMELY helpful. They showed us equipment and introduced us to software that is EXTREMELY beneficial for people who are blind or visually impaired. And this was free! Certainly, the Braille Institute is one institution worth giving donations to. read more

was visiting the "vista" store and the goldbaum "connection pointe" facilities. what someone else observed about the absence of prices on everything is absolutely true. that never bodes well, but isaac was very helpful explaining products. as we were interested in the so-called CC-tv devices that are basically camera magnifiers that plug into computer screens to enlarge text in newpapers and books, he sent us down the hall to the "connection pointe" room. there low-vision and blind folks can use the machines to check their email and read, so it's not specifically a store, but you can get an idea of how the [sometimes nearly $3,000.00] machines, like the daVinci, operate. phillip is very helpful and well-informed about both technical issues and program offerings at the braille institute. braille offers private appointments for low-vision individuals to experiment with the daVinci-type machines, which is our next stop. incidentally, the parking is accessible via new hampshire, one street west of vermont ave. there is 2 hour street parking during non-rush hour times of the day. read more

Braille Institute - "connection pointe' business card with braille - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is such a great institution which does so many things for many people who are blind or have low vision. The things that they do are numerous.they have libraries of audio books as well as getting books read for audiobook format. They distribute digitally as well as on tape. They have classes and services of many varieties for people with low vision or blind. It's not just about the braille language anymore because much of that is been taken into the digital domain. This is a world-class institution and deserves your charitable contributions if you are able. Please give to Braille. read more

I stopped in to the Braille Institute on Vermont between Melrose and Santa Monica Blvd today, for the first time and this place does a great service. They provide all different types of classes for both adults and children who are visually impaired or blind. What amazed me was the many different kinds of classes and services they provide. In addition to technical training, the Braille Institute services as a community center because they host classes in knitting, art, music, photography, cooking, and life style. My one and only suggestions is that they add more books to their library's collection. Other then that, as someone who is both visually impaired, and an artist, I fully appreciate what they have to offer, as I always say, we are visually impaired not life impaired, we have artistic passions, love to read and cook just like any other human being. It is institutes like this that help break the stigma that people with visual impairment and blindness once had. read more