Riverside, CA— The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) is proud to offer its Family and Friends Braille Class, a unique 10-week course designed to teach families, friends, and anyone who wants to learn how to read and write in braille. The program is part of RCOE’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive educational opportunities that empower all community members.

For Aubrey, a middle school student who is legally blind and uses large print, the braille course offered an opportunity to gain an understanding of the braille system and what it entails. Although she primarily uses large print for her own learning, she wanted to experience braille and attended the course with her family, who were eager to learn alongside her. Aubrey’s father, Joey Conrad, remarked, “It’s something we wanted to do together as a family. It means a lot to learn this with Aubrey, to be there for her with whatever she wants to do.”

The program’s family-centered approach has had a profound impact on participants. Aubrey appreciated that her family was able to take the class with her, saying, “It’s nice that they support me in this. It means a lot that they took the time to learn braille with me. I feel more connected to them.”

Aubrey’s story highlights the program’s role in fostering connection and understanding. The course, offered free of charge, is accessible to anyone interested in learning braille, whether for personal or professional reasons. While it provides a helpful overview of the braille system for families of students who use braille in school, it is not intended to replace formal braille instruction for students whose primary reading medium is braille. For those students, braille is taught as part of their individualized instruction during the school day, as learning the full braille code can take several years.

LeAnna Garrison, a Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments and one of the program’s instructors, spoke about the deeper significance of teaching braille: “It’s about opening up a world of possibilities for our students and helping families connect on a deeper level. Watching families work together to learn braille has been incredibly inspiring.”

The program’s benefits extend beyond the classroom, providing parents with the tools to better support their children. “Learning braille has allowed us to break down barriers and support Aubrey in ways we never could before,” Aubrey’s mother shared.

As RCOE continues to expand its educational offerings, the success of the Family and Friends Braille Class serves as a reminder of the power of community and the importance of inclusion. Principal Dena Slocum, who oversees the program, noted, “This program isn’t just about learning braille—it’s about creating opportunities for families to connect with their students and engage in what they learn at school. For parents of students who use braille, it bridges the gap by allowing them to understand the work their children are bringing home.”

The program has also sparked new interest and enthusiasm among its participants. Joey Conrad reflected, “I was bummed this was the last day. In the last couple of weeks, it started clicking for me. I might just sign up for the next session—I want to keep learning.”

RCOE’s Family and Friends Braille Class is more than just a class; it’s a valuable resource for students and families striving to overcome obstacles and connect. With plans to offer additional sessions in the coming year, the program is poised to reach even more students, helping them unlock their full potential.

For more information about the Family and Friends Braille Class, or to learn how to sign up for the next session, please contact the Riverside County Office of Education, Special Education Unit, at 951-249-8737.