Putting Their Braille Skills to the Test: Nation's Top Blind Students Compete
in Unique Academic Competition
LOS ANGELES, June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Of all the literacy issues
in America, braille literacy is one of the most underrated. Most people see
the little dots created by Louis Braille in 1824 as something of a novelty.
They glance over them as they punch in their ATM passwords. Comedians make
light of their use and ponder their placement in areas frequented by people
with sight. But for thousands of blind and visually impaired children who use
those dots to connect themselves to the darkened world around them, braille is
their passport to success. On Saturday, June 28, not because of their
blindness, but because of their ability to succeed in spite of it, the top
blind students from across the United States and Canada put their knowledge of
the braille code to the test in the only national academic competition for
blind students in the country -- The National Braille Challenge(TM).
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080628/CLSA006 )
Sponsored by Braille Institute of America, the competition serves to
encourage blind children of all ages to fine-tune their braille skills, which
are essential to their success in the sighted world. The 8th Annual National
Braille Challenge(TM) took place on Saturday, June 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 3
p.m., at Braille Institute's headquarters, located at 741 North Vermont
Avenue, in Los Angeles. The participants, ages 6 to 19, competed in
challenging categories requiring them to transcribe, type and read braille
using a device called a Perkins Brailler. Each category was designed to test
their braille skills in several areas -- reading comprehension, braille
spelling, chart and graph reading, proofreading and braille speed and accuracy
-- all of which they need to master in order to keep up with their sighted
peers.
"The employment numbers for blind people are significantly lower than
those of sighted people in the same age group," said Nancy Niebrugge, director
of the Braille Challenge(TM). "But 90 percent of blind people who are
gainfully employed are braille readers, and that's very telling. It's
essential that blind children learn to read braille at an early age."
This year's competition featured a diverse group of high achievers -- from
athletes to musicians to junior activists. Most were born blind, others lost
their sight due to cancer or viral infections, but they all share a tenacity
that drives them to succeed in spite of their disability. They are the top 60,
chosen from among more than 500 students throughout the country during a round
of preliminary testing. Following the competition an awards ceremony will be
held at the Universal Hilton Hotel, from 6 to 9 p.m. The first- through third-
place winners in each age group received a savings bond, ranging in value from
$500 for the youngest group to $5,000 for the oldest. In addition to these
prizes, Freedom Scientific donated the latest adaptive equipment for the
winners -- a pocket PC with a braille display called a PacMate.
Although the stakes are high, the National Braille Challenge(TM) serves to
bridge the gap between a unique group of students from across the country.
"Most of the participants are the only blind student in their schools," said
Niebrugge. "They go through their entire lives being the exception. This
competition gives them the opportunity to build camaraderie among kids who
have shared similar life experiences." If you would like additional
information on the National Braille Challenge(TM) or any of the participants,
please contact Courtney Goines, media relations manager, at (323) 663-1111,
Ext. 3176.
http://www.brailleinstitute.org
SOURCE Braille Institute of America
Courtney Goines, Media Relations Manager, Braille Institute of America,
+1-323-663-1111, Ext. 3176
