Braille Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. We offer a broad range of free programs, classes and services serving thousands of students of all ages helping to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.

We serve the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California, and lead popular national programs like Braille Challenge and Cane Quest. Our staff and volunteers understand losing your vision can be scary, but we believe it is not the end of independence, but a new way of living.

A variety of free classes, workshops and support groups are available to help you or a loved one stay active, remain independent and enjoy connections with others.

Sign up for individual events, workshops and seminars – free and open to everyone. Register online or call our Educational Programs Manager, Tracy Alfino, at (805) 898-8312 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Undergraduate pianist Flora Sun will present a senior Bachelor of Arts recital on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 4 pm PDT as a YouTube Premiere via the Department of Music's YouTube channel. The program will include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor, K. 457; excerpts from Claude Debussy's Préludes, Book 1; and Robert Schumann's Waldszenen, Op. 82. Sun is a student of UC Santa Barbara Professor Paul Berkowitz.

For more information visit https://music.ucsb.edu/news/event/2237

When color is the main event in a work of art, paying attention to the structure “behind the scenes” can be an interesting exercise.

Under the direction of Dr. Sarah Gibson, the UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music will present a concert, titled "A moment alone with millions of people," on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6 pm PDT as a YouTube Premiere via the Department of Music's YouTube channel. Join the ensemble for an evening of music by Pauline Oliveros, Aidan Gold, and Nicole Chamberlain. Through Oliveros' seminal work, Thirteen Changes, our students respond to evocative lines of text by creating their own individual musical tapestries. We present these musical responses to you in collaboration with gifs made to accompany each movement by UCSB art students from Iman Djouini's College of Creative Studies class "In Translation." The program also includes Aidan Gold's "Elegy" written for an asynchronous ensemble, and a solo flute work featuring Jordana Schaeffer.

Artwork by Sydnie Pace.

For more information visit https://music.ucsb.edu/news/event/2232

Join us for a conversation between artist Demi Boelsterli and Alexandra Terry, Chief Curator, MCASB.

PFLAG Spanish Speaking June Meeting - Conversations with LGBTQ+ Families

First responders in Santa Maria are hosting a community blood drive on June 10th.

AIA Santa Barbara Announces June General Meeting:  Housing Downtown – Making it Happen!   Realizing Housing, New Neighborhoods & Economic Vitality in our Downtown   June 10, 12 pm – 1.15 pm