#USA #Los Angeles #Community Heroes #Braille Institute #Braille Awards

Braille Institute's Community Hero Awards Celebrate Literacy Champions

On June 16, 2025, the Braille Institute of America proudly announced the winners of its second annual Community Hero Awards, an event dedicated to honoring organizations that make significant strides in the field of braille literacy for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This prestigious award serves to acknowledge those who play a vital role in advocating for braille literacy and its impact on the educational pathways of these individuals.

Rachel Antoine, the Senior Director of International Programs at Braille Institute, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "This award highlights those who champion the power of braille literacy and its vital role in shaping the educational journey and future success of our students." The ceremony is set to take place during the Braille Challenge Finals, which will be held from June 26 to 28 at the University of Southern California (USC). This year, the event marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Braille Challenge, which is the only academic competition geared towards blind and visually impaired students from grades K-12 across various countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia.

The awardees were selected from a pool of nominations by more than 100 professionals, students, and supporters from the blindness community. A diverse committee composed of internal and external stakeholders reviewed the nominations, leading to the recognition of exceptional contributions within four categories: corporate, small business, government, and nonprofit.

Among the winners is Meta and Be My Eyes, honored for their collaborative project on the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. These innovative glasses incorporate AI technology to assist users in navigating their environments, reading text, and answering queries in real-time—all while maintaining a stylish and discreet design. This partnership adds a human element, allowing blind individuals to seamlessly interact with their surroundings.

Tilt Beauty, another celebrated winner in the corporate category, focuses on creating universally designed makeup tools tailored for individuals with vision impairments and mobility issues. Their products feature tactile guides, ergonomic grips, and high-contrast markings, making makeup application more intuitive and empowering.

In the nonprofit sector, the Hearts for Sight Foundation was recognized for its commitment to promoting community wellness among the visually impaired through inclusive fitness and outdoor programs. Their initiatives foster both physical activity and social interaction, creating an environment where participants can thrive together.

Guide Dogs for the Blind, also a nonprofit awardee, has been a long-time partner of Braille Institute, providing expertly trained guide dogs at no cost to users. Their efforts aim to enhance the independence and confidence of individuals with visual impairments.

Recognizing leadership in public service, Councilman Ollie Cantos of West Covina received the Elected Official Award for being one of the first blind officials in the nation. His advocacy work focuses on disability rights and community inclusion, paving the way for greater accessibility and equity for marginalized groups.

In addition to recognizing these leaders, the Braille Institute thanks its sponsors for the 2025 Braille Challenge, which include City National Bank and Life Light Educational Foundation, among others. Organizations interested in participating in the Braille Challenge through nominations or sponsorships are encouraged to reach out to Brian Sheridan, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Braille Institute.

Braille Institute is committed to transforming the lives of individuals with vision loss. With over 100 years of service, the organization continues to offer free programs aimed at empowering blind and visually impaired people to live independently. Its strategic vision, known as Mission Magnified, aims to reach over 200,000 individuals annually within five years, utilizing digital innovation and meaningful partnerships to enhance lives.

The Community Hero Awards not only celebrate significant contributions towards braille literacy but also inspire continuous improvement and commitment to creating a more inclusive world for the blind and visually impaired community.