Rancho Mirage Braille Institute closing, new center opening in 2020

The Braille Institute in Rancho Mirage will be closing later this year, however, a new center is scheduled to open in 2020, officials announced Thursday.

The Rancho Mirage center will close sometime in mid-December, after 30 years at the location. Classes and services for the approximate 800 students will continue to be offered until the location is closed.

BIA will continue to serve blind and visually-impaired residents with the opening of a new neighborhood center somewhere in the Coachella Valley.

“We have been a part of the Coachella Valley community that we have known and loved since 1973 and are committed to support both current and new students in the community,” said Lisa Jimenez, Associate Vice President, Programs and Services.

The center’s location is not set yet, however, officials said they are committed to the new location that will allow for easy access to the public bus route along Route 111. They hope to find an area that will help focus on the BIA’s core service programs: Low Vision, Digital Literacy (library services), Orientation and Mobility, and Daily Living Skills.

BIA will also provide in-home services for those unable to make it into the center.

Officials said they are strongly considering a location in Palm Desert, as maps indicate an impactful population of visually impaired citizens in the area.

Bob Bogart, a spokesperson for BIA Rancho Mirage, said the new center will be smaller and they are still working on determining how many positions will be eliminated. All employees who are let go will receive a “very generous severance package.”

A neighborhood center has already opened in Riverside, where officials say approximately one-third of the Rancho Mirage students live within a 25-mile radius of.

The Coachella Valley’s neighborhood center is expected to open in early 2020.