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.

Get your free Explore Ecology cleanup kit at our beach cleanup!

"An LGBTQ+ History Lesson to Celebrate Pride" - June PFLAG Virtual Meeting

Construction Electrical takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 15 to June 24. These classes will be held 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Course number: CTV NC003 (CRN 21703)
Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 15 to June 24
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Online live video using Zoom
Class cost: Free

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

In Conversation | The Vulnerability of Creativity
Thursday, June 17, 2021
5:30-6:30pm PDT
MCASB

For decades, oil has been leaking from the wellheads of some of the first offshore oil rigs in the world, over 400 of them right here in Santa Barbara County. The beaches in Summerland were the source, and the oil spread as far southeast as Carpinteria and northwest along the coast to Miramar, Hammonds, and East Beach. Finding the exact locations of these leaks and making the determination that they were indeed old wellheads vs. natural seeps took years of research both above and below the ocean. From a good set of eyes for observations, to shovels and the latest sophisticated technology, from drones and ROV’s to multibeam sonar, Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) and improvised metal detection—all would need to be deployed to solve the mystery of where the oil plumes were coming from and to come up with a viable solution. That task was taken on by Heal the Ocean with Harry Rabin at the helm working with State Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, the California State Lands Commission, UCSB, and Interact.

Tango music performed live on Bandoneon and Guitar by Grammy nominated Hugo Satorre from Buenos Aires at the bandoneon and Santa Barbara's own Adam Tully.

A Zoom presentation by photographer and filmmaker Harry Rabin and an expert panel including Mike Giuliani, Hillary Hauser, and David Valentine, Joe Fabel, and Hannah Beth Jackson