The 13th annual Iowa Regional Braille Challenge was held Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Iowa Department for the Blind. The theme for this year was “Welcome to Braille Country.” The Library’s monthly S.O.A.R. Saturday event was also held on this day. Twenty-seven students participated, with eighteen competing in the Braille Challenge and nine participating in the S.O.A.R. activities. Approximately, 120 people were in attendance throughout the day including IDB staff, IESBVI staff, families and volunteers.
Everyone participated in activities promoting braille, literacy, living independently, as well as visiting informational tables. The day ended with hands-on country charm featuring farm activities such as: stick pony rides and races and a story trail filled with braille. At the end of the story trail, a small animal pet area greeted its guests to experience the fuzzy touch of a rabbit and to the tickle of chickens with feathery feathers. It was both informative and fun!
We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the day a success. A special thank you to our partner for the Braille Challenge, the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. And a huge thank you to the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for their generous donations that make programs like these possible.
What Is the Braille Challenge?
The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.
Any blind or visually impaired student in grades 1 – 12 who can read and write braille is eligible to participate in the Braille Challenge. All Contestants are divided into five categories and tested on fundamental braille skills such as reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading, and charts and graphs. Contests are proctored by volunteer Teachers of the Visually Impaired and scored locally by volunteer transcribers, based on national guidelines.
All students can compete in the preliminary Braille Challenge events, which are held from January through the end of March throughout the United States and Canada, but only the top 50 students (10 in each category) with the highest scores are invited to Los Angeles for the final round – two days of competition, camaraderie and fun!
For more information, please visit https://www.brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge
Contest Age Groups
- Apprentice—1st and 2nd grades
- Freshman—3rd and 4th grades
- Sophomore—5th and 6th grades
- Junior Varsity—7th, 8th and 9th grades
- Varsity—10th, 11th and 12th grades
What is S.O.A.R. Saturday?
Come S.O.A.R with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped! S.O.A.R. Saturday’s are held monthly at the Iowa Department for the Blind. At this program, children and their families will learn about library and community services that can help youth patrons become Successful, find Opportunities, develop Aspirations, and READ.
Each month we will have a fun theme as we focus on literacy. The next S.O.A.R. Saturday will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
For more information or to register contact Youth Services Librarian, Lois Crozier, at 515-281-1295 or Iois.crozier@blind.state.ia.us.
