Palm Desert, CA – August 23, 2021 – The Braille Institute Coachella Valley in
Palm Desert is now registering students for a wide selection of free online
classes. While Braille’s new Palm Desert center remains temporarily closed due
to COVID-19, the organization has made it easy for students of any age to
participate in free classes and services from the comfort and safety of their own
homes. Utilizing the Microsoft Teams platform for these distance learning
classes, students may participate using their computers, tablets or phones. If
needed, live instructors and consultants are available for assistance.
Classes run September 7 through December 17, 2021. Online class availability,
times and days may change throughout the term. Unless specified, all Braille
Institute classes and workshops are free courtesy of Braille’s generous donors.
Coachella Valley area students may register for classes by calling 760-321-1111.
Online workshops and classes are typically 1-to-1.5-hour sessions taught by
instructors on a range of subjects, including independent living skills, learning to
live with low vision, learning about new devices, and technology that can assist in
aiding vision, and general interest topics. All free classes and workshops are
conducted remotely and require advance registration.
“Losing vision doesn’t mean people must give up on favorite life activities, it
means learning new ways to do them,” said Amy Sand, Braille Institute Coachella
Valley Regional Manager.
Some of the many classes and workshops that highlight new ways to adapt to life
with low vision include:
• Independent Living (teaches simple adaptive techniques that support
activities of daily living)
• Personal Management and Sensory Awareness (teaches basic skills such
as applying makeup, handling money, doing household chores, and
maintaining hygiene)
• Make Technology Work For You
• Cooking Without Looking
• Fall Prevention
Braille Institute Online Fall Classes, page 2
Many workshops deal directly with learning about and living with vision loss,
including:
• Understanding Vision Loss
• Shopping for the Holidays: Instacart, Markets and Online Shopping.
• Assistive Devices for Low Vision
• Non-24 Circadian Rhythm Sleep Wake Disorder
• Diabetic Retinopathy and Healthy Living Tips
• Best Lighting For Your Sight
• Coachella Valley Transportation Access and Rideshare Program
In addition to the classes and workshops offered in Coachella Valley, any Braille
student may now access compelling and helpful online classes from other Braille
locations in Southern California. Students may join any of these free online
workshops by calling 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) to register. Some highlighted
classes and workshops include:
• Google Lookout (the free Android app from Google that allows you to read
documents out loud, scan food and explore what objects are around you
with ease)
• How Blind People See the Internet
• Mac Accessibility Options for Low Vision Users
• Delivery Services: Instacart and Online Shopping
• How to Stay Safe Online: A Two Part Series
• Using Social Media
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Apps
• Safe Traveling During the Holidays With Tech
• Technology Gifts for the Visually Impaired
• Holiday Movies with Audio Description
• Cooking in a Smart Home
• The Art of Aging Gracefully
• Protective Techniques and Pre-cane Skills
• Boost Your Confidence Through Personal Care
• Giving Up the Car Keys
• Lunch & Learn: Diabetes and its Effect on Vision Loss
• Making Autonomous Driving Accessible
For more information on any of these classes and workshops, go to
brailleinstitute.org.
About Braille Institute:
Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization that has been positively transforming the lives
of those with vision loss for more than100 years. We offer a broad array of programs and
Braille Institute Online Fall Classes, page 3
services, all free of charge, at seven centers and hundreds community outreach
locations in Southern California, thanks to the support of donors, volunteers, and staff
members. Braille Institute serves more than 20,000 people of all ages annually, and
demonstrates that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.
Visit: brailleinstitute.org
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/brailleinstitute
Follow us on Twitter: @BrailleInst
