What actually makes a home #accessible?
This post shares six specific things the author would need in their own space—and why true accessibility goes far beyond grab bars and ramps.
When Umang Sharma saw an ad for a $7,000 #Braille keyboard, he knew there had to be a better way. Now his nonprofit has grants from #Google and #Microsoft to distribute a much more affordable version. #disabilities #accessibility
Snow is pretty as it falls, but presents a major barrier to #accessibility once it starts piling up. ❄️🧑🦯
Disability advocates in Boston are calling on city officials to take action. #BlindNewWorld
(Story via @masslive.bsky.social ⬇️)
www.masslive.com/boston/2026/...
Thank you for sharing! @achronicvoice.com
The final slide features a white background with a central message in a rounded rectangle stating that these events show what is possible when combining skill, resilience, and teamwork. It emphasizes that visual impairment should not limit athletic excellence. The bottom section is a solid green block with the website https://brailleinstitute.org in bold black text.
These events show what’s possible when we combine skill, resilience, and teamwork.
Visual impairment shouldn’t limit athletic excellence; we should find new ways to compete.
Learn more about us and how we can help with vision rehabilitation: brailleinstitute.org
A graphic titled "Para Biathlon" enclosed in a green-outlined box. The description calls the sport a powerful mix of skiing and shooting with a "twist". It explains that visually impaired athletes use acoustic signals to aim, listening for changes in sound pitch to locate targets with precision and focus.
Para Biathlon
This is a powerful mix of skiing and shooting, but with a twist.
Visually impaired athletes use acoustic signals to aim, listening for changes in sound pitch to locate targets, ensuring precision and focus.
An educational slide titled "Para Cross-Country Skiing" set within a rounded rectangle on a white background. The text describes it as an endurance sport requiring strength, rhythm, and pacing. It notes that visually impaired skiers compete with guides, relying on verbal direction to maintain alignment and course awareness.
Para Cross-Country Skiing
This is an endurance sport that challenges athletes to ski long distances using strength, rhythm, and pacing.
Visually impaired skiers compete with guides, relying on verbal direction to maintain alignment and course awareness.
This graphic features a white background with the headline "Para Alpine Skiing" centered in a green-bordered rounded rectangle. The text describes how athletes with visual impairments race downhill at high speeds while following a sighted guide who skis ahead. It explains that the guide provides real-time voice cues to help the athlete navigate turns, terrain, and gates, turning communication into a competitive advantage.
Para Alpine Skiing
Athletes with visual impairment race downhill at high speeds with a sighted guide skiing ahead.
The guide gives real-time voice cues to help navigate turns, terrain, and gates, which turns trust and effective communication into a competitive advantage.
A clean educational graphic from the Braille Institute with a white top half and a bright green bottom section. Centered at the top is the headline "Did You Know?" inside a green rounded-rectangle border. Below it, bold text explains that blind and visually impaired athletes compete in multiple Paralympic events, specifically mentioning the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The green bottom half features the call-to-action "Swipe to see some examples:" in bold black text.
Did You Know?
Blind and visually impaired athletes compete in multiple Paralympic events.
At the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, they’ll be competing again, and their sports are fast, strategic, and incredible to watch.
Swipe to see some examples for you:
Register here the English workshop on Monday, March 30 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. bit.ly/4aRfoJU
Register here for the Spanish workshop on Monday, March 9 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. bit.ly/4cueunJ
Green and light grey graphic featuring a photo of two women holding hands across a table draped in a lace tablecloth, one younger and one older. The graphic features the heading "Becoming a Care Partner Workshop Series" and the workshop description "Join us for part one of a free, three-part series where we'll share emotional insights and practical tools to help you support your loved one. Available in English and Spanish! Join us. Spanish: Monday, March 9 4:00 to 5:00 PM PT. English: Monday, March 30 4:00 to 5:00 PM PT." The Braille Institute logo is at the top of the graphic.
Are you a caregiver for a loved one with vision loss? Join us for a free, three-part workshop series where we’ll share emotional insight and practical tools to help you support your loved one.
We kick off the series this month with a session on understanding vision loss.
" Promotional graphic for the upcoming workshop "Large Print Books for Your Tablet." The heading reads, "Turn your tablet into a custom reading tool." To the left of the photo, a list explains users can learn to customize Font Size & Styles, High Contrast Modes, and Free E-Book Access. A blue rounded box on the right provides event details for Tuesday, March 10, from 10:00–11:00 AM PT held Online. A blue button at the bottom includes the registration link: www.brailleinstitute.org.
Love to read but need text that works better for your eyes?
This free workshop will show you how to turn your tablet into a fully customizable reading tool. We'll help you make books work for your vision, not against it.
Date: Tuesday, March 10
Time: 10:00–11:00 AM PT
Register now: bit.ly/3KoxtEF
Date: Monday, March 17, 2026
Time: 12:00–3:00 pm PT
Venue: 2031 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Tour the campus, meet our instructors and volunteers, and enjoy live music and light refreshments.
RSVP: 805-898-8312 or merocha@brailleinstitute.org
A bright lime-green invitation for an open house at Braille Institute Santa Barbara. It features a large white rounded inset containing the text "You’re Invited!" in green and "Open House: Santa Barbara" inside a black-outlined pill shape. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 17, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at 2031 De La Vina Street. A green button labeled "JOIN US FOR:" introduces a bulleted list of activities: Live Music, Campus Tours, and Meet Students & Volunteers. The design is framed by subtle yellow curved lines in the corners, and a black footer at the bottom provides the RSVP information: 805-898-8312 or merocha@brailleinstitute.org
Join us for an Open House in Santa Barbara in two weeks to explore our free programs for people who are blind or have low vision. Whether you’re new to Braille Institute or already part of our community, we’d love to welcome you!
Thank you so much for demonstrating how essential #BrailleLiteracy is! @rnc.ac.uk
The new Museum of Disability History in New York showcases the history of the #DisabilityRights movement from its inception through today. #BlindNewWorld
(Story via @disabilityscoop.bsky.social ⬇️)
Image 4: A graphic with a light gray background and a bright green vertical bar on the left. The Braille Institute logo is at the top left. The bold navy heading reads: “Families don’t have to navigate this alone.” The text states that ROP Week is a time to raise awareness and connect families with resources for healthy visual development. It highlights that Braille Institute offers free programs to support children with vision loss through every stage of life. The graphic concludes with the instruction to “Learn more at brailleinstitute.org.”
Families don’t have to navigate this alone.
Braille Institute offers free programs and services that support children with vision loss and their families from early learning through every stage of life.
Learn more at brailleinstitute.org
Image 3: A graphic with a light gray background and a bright green vertical bar on the left. The Braille Institute logo is at the top left. The bold navy heading reads: “Outcomes Can Vary.” The text explains that some babies experience mild ROP that resolves on its own, while others may need ongoing vision support. It emphasizes that every child’s experience is different and that early support helps build strong foundations for learning and development. The website URL “BrailleInstitute.org” is at the bottom.
Some babies experience mild ROP that resolves on its own. Others may need treatment and ongoing vision support as they grow.
Every child’s experience is different, and when vision loss occurs, early support helps children build strong foundations for learning and development.
Image 2: A graphic with a light gray background and a bright green vertical bar on the left. The Braille Institute logo is at the top left. The bold navy heading reads: “Who Is at Risk.” The text states that ROP most often affects babies born prematurely and infants weighing less than 3 pounds at birth. It notes that while ROP may not show obvious signs at first, early screening, regular eye exams, and follow-up care are essential during the first months of life. The website URL “BrailleInstitute.org” is at the bottom.
Who Is at Risk
ROP most often affects:
- Babies born prematurely
- Infants weighing less than 3 pounds at birth
ROP may not show obvious signs at first, but early screening, regular eye exams, and early follow-up care are essential, especially during a baby’s first months of life.
Image 1: A graphic with a light gray background and a bright green vertical bar on the left side. At the top right, a circular photograph shows a close-up of a sleeping newborn baby's face and tiny feet. The Braille Institute logo is positioned in the center-left. Below it, the bold navy headline reads: “Understanding Vision Loss: Retinopathy of Prematurity.” The text explains that Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is an eye condition affecting babies born early or with very low birth weight, involving abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. It concludes with the website “BrailleInstitute.org.”
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye condition that can affect babies who are born early or with a very low birth weight.
It involves abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina and can impact vision if not monitored and treated.
A light grey background is framed by dark teal arched sections at the top and bottom. The white Braille Institute logo is centered in the top teal section. Large dark blue text in the middle of the frame reads: "Meet Braille Institute at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference!" Below this, smaller dark blue text invites readers to connect with free services in the Exhibit Hall and attend an exclusive session on teleservices for people with low vision. The bottom teal section contains the bold white headline "REGISTER TODAY:" above a white rounded button featuring the link: https://bit.ly/466Dcqa.
CSUN brings together people who are building more accessible futures, and we’re honored to be part of it.
Join our presentation on “Bridging the Gap: Teleservices for Low Vision in Healthcare and Daily Living” on Thursday, March 12, from 11:20 am - 12:00 pm PT.
See you there!
Definitely. This would be a great question to ask Dr. Javaheri at today's workshop!
Inaccurate and misleading signs like this are the reason why disabled people need to be consulting on projects involving our community. As we always say, nothing about us without us! 🦮 #GuideDog #Accessability #Blind
"I couldn’t accept that #accessibility tools were priced out of reach for so many people."
An innovative high school student has created a practical, affordable #braille keyboard - and has distributed more than 100 of them through his nonprofit. ⌨️ #BlindNewWorld
(Story via @nj.com ⬇️)
A bright purple background features a circular photograph at the bottom right. The photo shows three hands of different skin tones placing small red paper hearts into a cardboard box labeled "DONATION." The white Braille Institute logo is in the bottom left corner. Large white text at the top reads: "Every gift tells someone with vision loss that their future still holds possibilities." Below this, smaller white text explains that donor generosity fuels free programs and services, opening doors to independence for thousands each year. A centered call to action reads "Donate now:" above a white rounded button containing the website www.brailleinstitute.org.
Every gift tells someone with vision loss that their future still holds possibilities.
Donor generosity fuels Braille Institute’s free programs and services, opening doors to independence and renewed confidence for thousands each year.
Donate now: www.brailleinstitute.org/give-now/
On Friday, February 27 at 1:00 PM PT, join Shelby Yaceczko, DCN, RDN-AP, CNSC, CCTD from UCLA Health to learn about how nutrition can support your eye health. You’ll walk away with practical guidance for everyday food choices. Register: bit.ly/3MxvKhn
Join Dr. Michael Javaheri, MD, MSc, FARS on Tuesday, February 24 for a workshop on light therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration. He’ll explain how this special, non-invasive light treatment can support the health of the retina. Register: bit.ly/4tK86ik
Graphic featuring a magenta banner with the header "NEW Low Vision Month Workshops!" and the featured workshop information for Light Therapy for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Nutrition and the Eye. To the right of the workshop information are headshot photos of the speakers, Dr. Michael Javaheri and Shelby Yaceczko. The Braille Institute logo is at the bottom of the graphic.
We've added two new FREE online workshops for Low Vision Awareness Month! Check out the full lineup and sign up today to save your spot: www.brailleinstitute.org/low-vision-m...
The graphic is split vertically. On the right side, a high-contrast photograph shows a woman with dark curly hair and sunglasses laughing while making a heart shape with her hands in front of a background of bright red flowers. The left side has a solid purple background featuring the white Braille Institute logo in the top corner. Large white text reads: "Low vision care doesn’t stop when medical treatment reaches its limit." Below this, smaller white text explains: "We work alongside healthcare providers to help patients continue their daily activities through free vision rehabilitation services and education." A white footer at the bottom left contains the call to action: "Learn more here: https://www.brailleinstitute.org".
Low vision care doesn’t stop when medical treatment reaches its limit.
We work alongside healthcare providers to help patients continue their daily activities through free vision rehabilitation services and education.
Learn more here: bit.ly/4qJxSBh
