|
Category:
Press » Society
|
|
Putting Their Braille Skills to the Test: Nation's Top Blind Students Compete in Unique Academic Competition
|
Popularity:
Views: 1639
|
2008-06-29 04:38:36
|
|
Braille Institute of America
|
|
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).
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
|
Specialized in: |
Braille
-
Blind
-
Blindness
-
Visually-impaired
-
Low Vision
-
Macular Degeneration
-
Talking Books
-
Diabetic Retinopathy
-
Counseling
-
Planned Giving
-
Volunteering
-
Santa Barbara
-
San Diego
-
Orange County
-
Rancho Mirage
|
URL: |
http://www.brailleinstitute.org
|
|
|
Related Press releases |
|
CitySocialising Launch European City Breaks (Popularity: ): London, United Kingdom (21 December, 2012) – CitySocialising, a website that enables people to make friends online and meet new people in their city, announce the launch of their European city breaks - offering members the chance to travel more and meet new people.After receiving requests from members to start hosting socials abroad, CitySocialising are now hosting a weekend series of trips, travelling to a different European city every 2-3 ...
CitySocialising Launches New Members Nights (Popularity: ): London, United Kingdom, (7th September 2012) – City Socialising, a social website that allows people to meet new people and make new friends in their city, are calling on Britons to celebrate the new season by having a revamp of their social lives.With many people relocating at this time of the year or just vowing to make some changes and expand their social circle, CitySocialising are urging people to register ...
Marvell Co-Founder Weili Dai Named 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by Major US-China Technology Association (Popularity: ): Marvell (Nasdaq: MRVL), a worldwide leader in integrated silicon solutions, today announced that its co-founder, Weili Dai, has been named the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Hua Yuan Science and Technology Association (HYSTA), a prominent industry organization aimed at fostering closer U.S. - China business relationships. Ms. Dai was selected as HYSTA's Entrepreneur of the Year based on her success in building and growing Marvell into a leading ...
Young Adults Concerned About Retirement (Popularity: ): New research conducted by Ipsos finds that younger adults, aged 25-34, are already concerned about having enough money to see them through retirement. Likely in response to these retirement concerns, the research also suggests that this generation would be particularly receptive to alternative contribution options within employer sponsored 401(k) plans.The survey reveals that seven in ten adults aged 25-34 (71%) have under $50,000 in investable assets overall, and among those ...
Give Dad Gifts He Really Wants This Father's Day, Says notonthehighstreet.com (Popularity: ): With Father's Day fast approaching -- it falls on Sunday 20 June -- notonthehighstreet.com is today promoting its extensive range of Father's day gifts to family members looking to get dad something different they can really enjoy.Following research conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Western Union, nearly half of fathers said they had pretended to like a Father's Day gift they received. Of the fathers who responded to the ...
|
|
Related Business |
|
National Ocean Sciences Bowl (Popularity: ): An academic competition for high school students that focuses on ocean-related topics. Every year around the nation, students compete in regional tournaments hosted by research institutions, aquaria and federal laboratories that are involved in oceanographic and aquatic research and education. By winning their regional competitions, these teams qualify to participate in the national competition.
Braille Chess (Popularity: ): Chess for the blind and deafblind. Articles, rules, worldwide clubs plus learn about braille and see your name in braille.
American Printing House for the Blind (Popularity: ): Producing books, magazines, and other materials in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats, writing and recording equipment, materials for teaching blind students, and special supplies used in education and by adults.
Braille press,education and welfare programmes for the blind (Popularity: ): Braille press,education,employment for the blind, charity and network marketing resources for the welfare programmes of the blind
Stani Memorial College (Popularity: ): SMCET is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, affiliated to the Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, Rajasthan. We have aim of teaching world class technical responsiveness & skills in various streams of engineering students. This college has evolved a unique system of expertise for our students. We carry out various actions throughout the academic year in order to expand their inventive skills, standards and base for superior human being.
Genghis Blues (Popularity: ): The story of a blind blues musician's journey to Tuva to compete in a national throat singing competition. Film and filmmaker information, photographs, credits, and links.
North Carolina State University (Popularity: ): Consistently ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities and ranked by Princeton Review as a best value for students, NC State is a place where students can fit in - and dig in. Consistently ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities and ranked by Princeton Review as a best value for students, NC State is a place where students can fit in - and dig in. It is ...
USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS) (Popularity: ): A free mathematics competition available to all high school students in the United States. Interested participants may enter the competition at any time of the academic year.
U. S. Academic Triathlon (Popularity: ): A thinking skills competition
Autosports Northwest (Popularity: ): Spokane Washington's Championship Autocross Series, open to all who like to compete and test driving skills.
|
|
|
|