The Braille Institute and Resources for People with Low- Vision or Blindness

The Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. The Institute provides an environment of hope and encouragement for people who are blind and visually impaired through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services. An individual is considered a student of Braille Institute when they enroll in any of the classes or programs. 

Each year the Braille Institute provides services to more than 75,000 people. Braille Institute is operated and funded almost entirely through private individual and foundation sources. Generous donors and dedicated efforts by more than 4,000 volunteers enable staff to provide training, programs and services without charge.

For more than 90 years, the Braille Institute has offered a wide array of services designed to help everyone with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives.  The Braille Institute provides counseling and services to children as young as birth to five years of age. They also have services for teens, young adults and adults. Each student’s development is centered on the student’s personal growth and independence.   

Braille Institute is located in five locations throughout Southern California: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Anaheim, Rancho Mirage and San Diego. You can also call us at 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553), Monday - Friday, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST.

Additional Resources and Links:

·        National Federation of the Blind
http://www.nfb.org
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.

·        Junior Blind of America
http://www.juniorblind.org
Founded in 1953, Junior Blind of America’s mission is helping children and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence. Based in Los Angeles, Junior Blind offers specialized services for thousands of infants, children, teens and adults from throughout California and across the country. Through programs that offer early-intervention therapy, education, recreation and rehabilitation, students learn essential skills to help them maximize their potential and achieve their goals.

• Disability Forum
  http://www.lacityview.org/disability.htm?link=guide/links_departments.htm
  With over a million persons with disabilities living and working within the City of Los Angeles, it was time for a program focusing on individuals with disabilities, disability-related issues, and the Department on Disability. Disability Forum, is a 30-minute look into the issues affecting persons with disabilities and the department responsible for keeping those issues at the forefront of the consciousness of City officials.
• Audio Internet Reading Service of Los Angeles 
  http://www.airsla.org
  The Audio Internet Reading Service helps those who are blind, sight-impaired, reading-impaired, low-vision, or who suffer diseases that make it difficult or impossible for them to read. Their mission is to provide podcasts of news, information, and entertainment that's otherwise inaccessible to them.
• American Foundation for the Blind
  http://www.afb.org
  The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.

 Types of Blindness

Age-Related Macular Degeneration  Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people age 65 and older. It can be part of the body's natural aging process or it may be inherited. It is caused by damage to the macula, the small part of the retina that gives sharp, straight-on vision. It may cause blurred, distorted vision, often with large blank spots in the central area of sight. Very rarely does the disease cause total loss of sight.

Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy is associated with diabetes and is caused by the breakage of tiny blood vessels in the retina, resulting in hemorrhages on or in the retina. Untreated Diabetes or poor disease maintenance greatly increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Depending on the severity of the disease, sight can remain near normal or can be lost entirely. Remaining vision may be blurred or distorted or the hemorrhaging may cause a deep reddish veil to form over the field of vision. Laser surgery often is effective, but the patient must cooperate by managing the diabetes through medication, diet, exercise and frequent monitoring of blood sugar.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a hereditary condition leading to chronic retinal degeneration, accompanied by abnormal deposits of pigment. The disease causes a progressive decrease in peripheral or side vision. Eventually, a person with Retinitis Pigmentosa can see only directly ahead, a condition known as "tunnel vision." Night vision also can be affected as can the ability to walk safely. Very rarely does the disease cause total loss of sight. At present there is no known cure or effective medical treatment for RP, although certain doses of vitamin A have been found to slightly slow the progression of the disease.

Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye is too high, causing damage to the optic nerve. If left untreated, vision around the edge of the eye becomes increasingly restricted, narrowing the field of vision. Eventually, total blindness can occur. If detected early enough, the damaging effects of the disease often can be treated with various drugs. Laser or conventional surgery often can relieve pressure and prevent further sight loss.

Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. It is estimated that 95 percent of those over 65 years of age have some degree of cataract that may or may not cause blurring of vision. If a cataract begins to cause vision loss that interferes with important activities, it can easily be surgically removed and an artificial lens implanted. This usually results in a great improvement of vision.

Common Misconceptions about Blindness:

Legal blindness means total blindness.

Legal blindness is a term used by the IRS and other agencies to determine whether a person is eligible for disability benefits or other services. You are considered legally blind if the central vision in your better eye, with the best correction possible, is no better than 20/200 (20/20 being normal).  

All blind people can read Braille.

Only about 10 percent of people who are blind or visually impaired can read and write Braille. This is why the Braille Institute is dedicated to helping people who have lost their vision or who are experiencing vision loss to learn how to read and write Braille.  

There is no treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

There are two types of AMD:  “wet” and “dry.” The wet form can often be successfully treated with laser surgery to prevent further vision loss if caught early. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the dry form. However, most people with AMD will not become totally blind and will retain some peripheral vision.  

People who lose sight are compensated by a sixth sense that helps them identify their surroundings.

People who are blind do not develop any new special sense, but learn to use their remaining senses more acutely. Thus, the senses themselves may seem to be enhanced. Braille Institute offers many classes on mobility. Students learn from highly specialized Mobility and Orientation instructors about proper white cane techniques as well as gain valuable knowledge on how to navigate busy streets.  

People who are blind can perform only limited types of work.

With the technology available today, or with some minor accommodations, a wide range of occupations is easily accessible to people who are visually impaired. Braille Institute offers free career counseling services to our students.  

When talking with a blind person, you should avoid words such as “see,” “look” or “blind.”

A person who is blind will feel more comfortable if you use the words you normally use with sighted people.  

Common Symptoms of Sight Loss

There are a number of symptoms that may indicate the onset of an eye disease. A comprehensive eye exam should be scheduled if any of these signs of potential eye problems develops. Early detection and treatment can be the key to preventing needless loss of sight.

TYPICAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

·        Trouble adjusting eyesight to dark rooms or outside at night

·        Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects

·        Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare

·        Inflamed or red eyes or swollen eyelids

·        Recurrent pain in or around eyes

·        Dark spot at center of viewing

·        Double vision

·        Seeing spots or ghost-like images

The following symptoms may be indications of more serious problems, and an ophthalmologist should be consulted as soon as possible:

·        Sudden loss of vision in one eye

·        Sudden hazy or blurred vision

·        Flashes of light or showers of black spots

·        Halos or rainbows around lights

·        Loss of peripheral (side) vision