Cal State LA receives Braille Institute Community Hero Award for advancing access and opportunity

Cal State LA has been named the recipient of the 2026 Braille Institute Community Hero Award in the education/community partner category, recognizing the university's longstanding commitment to preparing professionals who serve people who are blind or visually impaired.

The award is part of the Braille Institute's third annual Community Hero Awards, which honor organizations and leaders who are breaking barriers, expanding access, and transforming opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Cal State LA was recognized for its partnership with the Braille Institute and its leadership in preparing the next generation of Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Teachers of the Visually Impaired. The pipeline of professionals the university has developed supports the missions of hundreds of blindness-serving organizations across the United States.

"Cal State LA's partnership with the Braille Institute has provided individuals with visual impairments the skills to live independent and productive lives," said Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes. "We are honored to be recognized with the Community Hero Award, which provides further inspiration to expand our crucial work at the forefront of training innovative and impactful teachers and leaders in the field."

Additionally, the university has for many years supported Cane Quest Southern California, the Braille Institute's orientation and mobility competition for students who are blind or visually impaired. Faculty members, students, and alumni from Cal State LA's Orientation and Mobility Specialist Training Program have contributed their expertise to the event, helping participants build confidence, independence, and real-world travel skills. The partnership is further reflected in the leadership of the Braille Institute's Orientation and Mobility Program, which is directed by Cal State LA alumna Karen Mayes.

"Through our collaboration with the Braille Institute, future orientation and mobility specialists gain valuable hands-on experience while supporting children, families, and adults who are developing the skills needed to travel independently and confidently. Thank you to the Braille Institute for their long-term commitment to helping Cal State LA prepare professionals through their willingness to support meaningful fieldwork opportunities for students," said Nicholas B. Casias, coordinator of the Orientation and Mobility Specialist Training Program and associate professor in the Division of Special Education and Counseling in the College of Education at Cal State LA.

Orientation and Mobility Specialist Training Program prepares specialists to teach independent travel skills to infants, children, and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Through a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and hands-on training, candidates earn a Master of Arts in Special Education with an option in orientation and mobility while completing credential requirements in orientation and mobility services.

Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments Program prepares education specialists to work in school settings. These candidates complete coursework and fieldwork to earn a teaching credential and may also pursue a Master of Arts in Special Education with an option in teacher preparation. This program is coordinated by Special Education Professor Cheryl Kamei-Hannan.

According to the Braille Institute, Cal State LA's academic excellence and dedication to workforce development continues to strengthen the pipeline of highly trained professionals who empower individuals to live independently and confidently, including so many who have gone on to be professionals at the Braille Institute.

The 2026 honorees were selected through a nomination process and recognized for leadership and measurable impact across the categories of corporation, small business, government, and nonprofit service.

Other 2026 Community Hero Award recipients include Waymo, Artifact LA, the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation, the Glaucoma Research Foundation, and California State Sen. Monique Limón.

"The 2026 Community Hero Award recipients exemplify innovation, advocacy, and inclusion," said Rachel Antoine, senior director of international programs at the Braille Institute. "Their work is opening doors for young people who are blind or have low vision to thrive in school, careers, and life, while helping create a future where all students who are blind or visually impaired can reach their full potential."

The award will be presented during the Community Hero Awards Dinner on June 25 at the University of Southern California.

For more than a century, the Braille Institute has been positively transforming the lives of people with vision loss. Through a broad range of free programs, classes, and services offered online and in person throughout Southern California, the Braille Institute empowers individuals of all ages to live independently with confidence and dignity.

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.