The East Bay Center for the Blind provides technology training and other classes listed below.

Please call the Center at (510) 843-6935 to arrange for in-person or remote instruction.


Braille instruction — with Vileen Shah. Do you want to enhance your literacy skills and embark on greater independence by learning Braille?  Our “learn at home” braille program allows you to learn braille at home at no cost. No need to worry about transportation. Simply fill out the enrollment application online and get started. Follow this link to go to the registration sign-up form. Our “Braille 101” class teaches you how to read uncontracted braille, and “Braille 102” teaches you to read contracted braille. We provide audio instructions on a flash drive to walk you through the process of learning braille by using our braille workbooks.  We will soon offer “Braille 103” which will teach you how to write in braille using a slate and stylus and/or a braille writer. “Braille 104” will teach you how to be more proficient in reading and writing braille. In addition, you may also participate in our weekly webinars, “I Love Braille” on Thursdays (at 9:00 AM US Pacific time, 12:00 PM US Eastern time), and “I Learn Braille” on Fridays (at 8:30 AM US Pacific time, 11:30 AM US Eastern time), online via Zoom. Please contact us at (510) 843-6935 to inquire about access information for these online Zoom meetings. You can also access our online audio archives of previously recorded sessions here on our website. Follow this link to find archived episodes of “I Love Braille”, or follow this link to find archived episodes of “I Learn Braille”. If need be, our braille instructor can work one-on-one with you, if you can come to the Center in person. In addition, members can borrow books from the Center’s extensive braille and audio book library.

Adaptive computer usage with JAWS — with instructor Fran Franks, by appointment.

iPhone class — with instructor Fran Franks, by appointment.

Exercise and movement class — with Kathleen Davis.  Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This class is conducted in-person, and possibly by remote conference call.  Please note, this class is not conducted in summer.

Meditation — with David Cook. Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Support group — with Patty Overland.  Fridays from 10:00 AM to noon. The support group convenes in-person, and possibly by remote conference call.  Please contact us for more information.

Special computer support — by appointment. We are here to help.  Are you having difficulty with online things you need to get done, but you need help?  Staff and volunteers at EBCB are available to help with internet tasks you may be having trouble accessing.  Call us at (510) 843-6935 to arrange in-person or remote appointments.

Ceramics class — with instructor Kathleen Rowe.  This class is conducted in-person at the Center, Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to noon. Please note, this class is not conducted in summer.

Victor Stream — with instructor Vileen Shah.  This class is temporarily unavailable.

EBCB Computer Lab