News from: Braille Institute Coachella Valley
Braille Institute Coachella Valley will offer over 100 free workshops, as well as on-site and remote classes at its new Coachella Valley location and partner facilities in the Coachella Valley in its next semester. Registration began Monday, August 7, 2023 and will be open through September 1, 2023. New students must complete a low vision assessment or be on-boarded by a Braille Institute Intake Specialist. This semester Braille Institute will offer free workshops (open to the public), on-site classes (for registered Braille Institute students), and remote classes (also for Braille Institute students). All classes and workshops are 100% free of charge. To register for classes at Coachella Valley, call 760-321-1111.
Workshops
These one-day workshops are open to anyone and do not require the participants to be Braille Institute students. Workshops are held online, in-person or hybrid depending on the workshop. Workshops are usually 1-2 hours and focus on a specific topic. Participants may register for any workshop online at brailleinstitute.org/workshops-events or by calling 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553). Several workshops are conducted only in Spanish.
Highlighted Workshops in Coachella Valley:
- Community Access and Disability Center, Friday, Sept. 29 from 11 am – 12:30 pm
Presentation of services including assistive technology re-use, peer-support, transitional services from nursing homes, residential ramp services, and emergency preparedness.
- All about the DOR (Department of Rehabilitation), Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 10 – 11 am
Blind Field Services provides specialized and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to Californians who are blind or visually impaired. This team understands the barriers faced in achieving meaningful employment and independent living.
- Caring for the Caregiver Friday, Oct. 20, from 11 am – 12 pm
If you care for an elderly relative or a disabled adult, join this workshop that will cover fatigue, managing stress, emotional health, and related topics. Additional support services from the Riverside County Office on Aging will also be covered.
- Living Well with Diabetes Monday, Nov. 6 from 10 – 11 am or 11 am – 12 pm
Learn what diabetes is, what you can and cannot eat with diabetes, what you can do to manage stress, and complications with uncontrolled diabetes.
- Popcorn and a Movie: Firestick, Roku, Netflix, and Disney Accessibility Features Friday, Dec. 1 from10 am – 12 pm and Friday, Dec. 8 from 10 am – 12 pm
Access descriptive TV and movies using Firestick & Roku. Learn to use Netflix’s and Disney’s streaming services. Stay and enjoy a movie.
On-Site Classes for Braille Institute Students
The Coachella Valley Center is also offering in-person classes that take place over multiple weeks during a semester. Students are advised to review the safety protocols before visiting the center. To register for on-site classes, contact the registrar at 760-321-1111.
Highlighted Coachella Valley On-Site Classes:
Note: some classes take place at partner facilities.
Art
- Basketry, Wednesdays from 10 – 11:30 am, at Joslyn Center, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 6 and Fridays from 10 – 11:30 am, at the Cathedral City Senior Center,15 weeks, starts Sept. 8
Learn to weave baskets from rope and yarn. Participants bring one skein of blanket yarn and Braille Institute supplies the rest. No special skills needed.
- Knitting, Thursdays from 2 – 3 pm, at Joslyn Center, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 7
Learn to knit. All levels welcomed. All you need to bring is your yarn and needles. If you are a beginner, bring a large skein and #7 needles to get started with a scarf.
Music
- Singing Just for Fun, Wednesdays from 12:30 – 1:45 pm at Cathedral City Senior Center, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 6
Large print words provided, piano accompaniment and song leader.
- Keyboard Class for Beginners and Intermediates, Wednesdays from 2 – 3:30 pm, at Cathedral City Senior Center, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 6
Learn or improve your piano skills. Students must have a keyboard at home and commit to practicing. Limited to 6 students.
Cooking
- Introduction to Cooking with Low Vision, Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 am, at Braille Institute, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 5
Through descriptive instructions learn microwave cooking techniques to prepare healthy and simple recipes safely and successfully.
Life Skills
- Orientation & Mobility Basics, Mondays from 10:15 – 11:45 am, at Joslyn Center, 4 weeks, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11
Learn how to get and use a white cane, fall prevention, and navigating where you want to go. It is highly recommended that students participating in this class also register for the Monday Tai Chi class.
- Out and About, Mondays from 1 – 2:30 pm, 6 weeks, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 16, Nov. 06, Nov. 27, Dec. 11
Students meet virtually and choose a destination and make navigation plans to meet there. Braille Institute staff will meet the students at first trip and second trip students will meet on their own, putting their skills into action. Must be a practiced navigator.
- Independent Living Skills & Sensory Awareness, Tuesdays from 11 am – 12 pm at Braille Institute, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 5
Simple solutions to help better manage everyday tasks, including instruction in personal care, organizing, shopping, cooking, home safety, and maintenance. “Practice” your senses using taste and smell, touch and hearing to help you navigate your world.
Health & Wellness
- Tai Chi, Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 – 10 am, Joslyn Center,14 weeks, starts Sept. 6 and Sept. 11
Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for health benefits including balance and meditation and is an excellent exercise program that assists with Orientation and Mobility.
- Coachella Valley Support Group, Wednesdays, 10 – 11 am, and 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, at Braille Institute, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 6
Participants are invited to share their experiences and coping strategies as they relate to vision loss to help build confidence and share experiences. The group is led by a professional counselor from Joslyn Wellness Center.
Remote Classes For Braille Institute Students
Registered Braille Institute students may also attend classes and workshops remotely from the comfort of their home. “Virtual” classes are offered only online, and “hybrid” classes are offered on-line and in-person. Braille Institute utilizes the Microsoft Teams platform for distance learning classes which students may attend using a computer, tablet, smartphone or traditional phone. Weekly classes are conducted online and take place over multiple weeks during a semester. Those students who require assistance and training how to use using Microsoft Teams, may view helpful videos at brailleinstitute.org/remote-services or call the center at 951-787-8800 to schedule 1-1 help from a technology specialist. All services are free of charge.
Classes are held over multiple weeks during the semester period and attended weekly. Classes are for individuals who are presently students of Braille Institute and can be joined remotely by phone, computer or smartphone. To register for classes please call 760-321-1111.
Highlighted classes include:
- Basic Editing and Formatting with No or Low Vision, Tuesdays from 1 – 2 pm, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 5 (Hybrid) Learn document editing and formatting basics: create, save, and retrieve a document. Participants must have a mastery of the keyboard and a home computer with MS WORD is required.
- Deep Dive into iPhone & iPad, Tuesdays from 2 – 3 pm, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 5, (Virtual) Ever wondered what the apps that come with your iPhone or iPad can do? Learn how to take control of your settings to customize your device based on your needs.
- Exploring Accessible Games & Social Apps, Thursdays from 10 am – 12 pm, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 7 (Virtual) Learn social networking apps and games with the iPhone/iPad using VoiceOver. Each week, learn and explore a new app. Prerequisites: Have a smart phone and an email address.
- Art & Reading, Tuesdays from 1 – 2:30 pm, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 5 (Virtual) Create art projects based on assigned readings available on BARD. Students may seek assistance from the Braille Institute Library to access braille and audiobooks on BARD.
- Creative Writing and Storytelling, Fridays from 10 – 11 am, 15 weeks, starts Sept. 8 (Virtual) Find your creative voice and build confidence while expressing your thoughts and ideas in your own way. This class aids in daily living skills, builds community, and empowers.
- Intro to Classical Music, Wednesdays 11 am – 12 pm, 12 weeks, starts Sept. 6 (Hybrid) In this class, the various aspects of what’s broadly termed “classical” music will be discussed in an easy informal setting.
- Rock Legends, Mondays from 11 am – 12 pm, 14 weeks, starts Sept. 11 (Virtual) Learn about the unforgettable and mythic artists and music that make Rock & Roll so exciting.
- Braille Reading and Writing, Mondays from 9 – 10 am, 10 – 11 am, and 11 am – 12 pm, 14 weeks, starts Sept. 11 (Virtual, Phone Only) Covers alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and abbreviations. For remote services, Braille Reading and Writing is taught in one-on-one lessons only.
- Writing and Recording Your Memoir and Oral History, Wednesdays from 11 am – 12 pm, 7 weeks, starts Sept. 6 (Virtual) Learn how to shape your story and share it with others as a written memoir or recorded oral history.
- Memory Enhancement, Tuesdays from 10 – 11 am, 7 weeks, starts Sept. 5 and Oct. 31 (Virtual) Understand how your memory functions, master techniques for improving your brain’s ability to recall information and learn strategies to help you improve focus when can’t rely on your vision.
- Orientation Strategies, Fridays from 11 am – 12 pm, every other week, starts Sept. 15, (Virtual) Learn about basic orientation strategies for traveling safely and efficiently in your travel environments. Learn concepts such as Jacobson’s 5-point travel system, cardinal directions, spatial concepts, time distance estimation, cognitive mapping, and much more.
- Stress Management, Mondays from 11 am – 12 pm, 14 weeks, starts Sept. 11 (Virtual)
Learn and practice techniques for relaxation to better manage stress in daily life.
About Braille Institute
Braille Institute is a non-profit organization that has been positively transforming the lives of those with vision loss for more than 100 years. Braille Institute offers a broad range of free programs, classes and services to more than 20,000 students of all ages and continues to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end. The organization serves the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California. For more information, please visit BrailleInstitute.org. Follow on Facebook @BrailleInstitute or on Twitter @BrailleInst.