Braille Institute Breaks Ground on New Center in Rancho Mirage
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On May 6, 2026 Braille Institute Breaks Ground on New
5,200-Square-Foot Center in Rancho Mirage
www.brailleinstitute.org/
New facility will expand free, life-changing services for Coachella Valley residents living with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other forms of vision loss
14 April 2026, Rancho Mirage, CA: “The Braille Institute taught me life skills and everything I needed to live independently,” said Stella Espinoza, a Coachella Valley client living with glaucoma. Such life-changing support liesat the core of the mission of the Braille Institute of America. On Wednesday, May 6, the esteemed nonprofit will officially break ground on its new Coachella Valley center in Rancho Mirage, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s century-long mission to serve individuals living with vision loss. The ceremony will take place at the future home of Braille Institute Coachella Valley (42525 Rancho Mirage Lane, Rancho Mirage). The new 5,200-square-foot facility is expected to open in November 2026.
“Vision loss exists on a spectrum, and far more people are affected than many realize,” said Dimitri Kales, CEO of Braille Institute. “Our new Coachella Valley center represents our commitment to meeting people where they are — whether they are coping with the first signs of macular degeneration or navigating more advanced vision impairment. Our goal is to help every individual retain independence, confidence, and connection to daily life.”
Braille Institute has served the Coachella Valley since 1973, including clients like Stella. She was a 37-year-old single mom with a teenage son and a 21-year-old daughter when her vision began deteriorating in 2014 due to a form of glaucoma. She stopped working five years later when her vision worsened, and visited Braille Institute in the Coachella Valley, near her home.
“I wanted my kids to be comfortable knowing that they could leave to build their own lives and mom would be okay,” said Stella. “I know my family is so appreciative of what Braille Institute has done for me. Without them, the transition from fully sighted to now would have been more difficult.”
Of all the regions the organization serves, the Coachella Valley has the highest percentage of low vision clients. Nearly one-quarter of the region’s population is 65 or older, and that number is growing as more people retire to the area. This age group is far more likely to develop vision loss due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma — and the demand for accessible, community-based support has never been greater.
Notably, only about 10 percent of Braille Institute’s clients are fully blind; the vast majority live with some degree of usable vision. Because most vision loss is progressive rather than sudden, early intervention and ongoing support can make an enormous difference — helping individuals retain independence and adapt confidently to changes in their sight.
To meet this need, Braille Institute purchased a former healthcare building in Rancho Mirage in December 2024 and will transform it into a full-service community hub — a welcoming place for resources, transformational in-person experiences, and connection that complements the organization’s growing virtual services.
The new center will serve as a regional hub for residents across the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities. All services are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking the help they need.
The facility has been thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming and accessible environment. Key features and services include:
• Low Vision Treatment Room — Support begins here for new clients who may have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition. Certified occupational therapists provide personalized low vision assessments and rehabilitation, paired with emotional support and connection through newcomer groups. Specialists help individuals maximize their remaining vision using digital magnifiers, enhanced lighting, contrast techniques, and other adaptive strategies — building safety, confidence, and independence in everyday activities.
• Discovery Lab — Expert staff train clients on the latest assistive technologies, including smartphone apps, digital magnifiers, and other tools that support independent living. The lab serves as a hands-on resource area for a broad range of assistive technology as well as computer instruction.
• Teaching Kitchen — An adaptive kitchen where trained specialists provide instruction on how to prepare and cook food safely, and how to equip and organize a kitchen for those with low or no vision.
• Lobby and Conference/Community Room — A warm, welcoming entryway opens into a spacious community room that hosts support group meetings, presentations, workshops, staff training, youth activities, and community events — often featuring guest lecturers sharing practical guidance on living with visual impairments.
• Classroom — A dedicated classroom will offer a full slate of courses throughout the year. Classes are designed for people who want information and skills they can put into practice immediately, covering daily living, technology, as well as safe and confident movement.
• Social Work Services and Counseling — One of the new service offerings at the Rancho Mirage Center, in-person and group counseling will provide clients with the support and resources they need to navigate the emotional challenges of vision loss.
• Orientation and Mobility Path — An outdoor practice trail allows instructors to take clients into real-world settings where they can learn to navigate safely and find their way in unfamiliar environments.
• Garden — An outdoor garden space offering rest, contemplation, and conversation, with an expansive view of the San Jacinto Mountains. A fountain within the garden also serves as a vital aural cue to help clients orient themselves.
• Guide-Dog Area — A dedicated outdoor space for the service dogs that many clients rely on.
Kales added that the progressive nature of most vision loss makes early access to services critical. “Because most vision loss is progressive rather than absolute, early support can make an enormous difference. This new center will ensure that Coachella Valley residents facing changes in their vision know they are not alone — and that help is available at no cost.”
About Braille Institute of America:
Braille Institute of America has served Southern California communities for more than a century, providing free programs and services that help individuals with vision loss live with independence and confidence. The organization’s programs extend far beyond traditional braille instruction and include free in-person and online classes, low vision consultations, orientation and mobility training, assistive technology instruction, an award-winning library, and enrichment programs for adults, youth, and families. Thanks to ongoing donor support, all services remain free.
