Changing the Lives of Youth Since 2001
By Jessica Minneci
It
is difficult to fathom how understanding a six-dot cell and its accompanying
combinations of dots can bring children of all ages from across the US and
Canada together, all of them yearning to prove their mastery of the Braille
code. Yet, in mid-June of each year, the Braille Institute hosts the National
Braille Challenge in Los Angeles for the top 50 children with the highest
scores in their category.
Beginning
in 2001, children who are blind and visually impaired from grades 1-12 have competed
in regional rounds of the Braille Challenge. They are tested in the categories
of proofreading, reading comprehension, speed and accuracy, charts and graphs,
and spelling. Winners receive a ribbon and cash prize. In May, the top 50
contestants are selected and participate in the national round in June. After
the contestants and their families arrive in L.A., the weekend kicks off with a
welcome party followed by a day of competition. At night, everyone attends the
award ceremony where cash prizes and assistive technology is awarded to the
winners, sometimes by a celebrity guest.
 |
image shows Jess and three friends posing
for a picture at the Braille Challenge |
Having
been a finalist in 2012, 2014, and 2015, I can attest to how amazing an
experience the National Braille Challenge was. Although there was a different
theme and group of participants each time, the magic of my adventures in L.A.
was never dampened. Meeting other children who were visually impaired and my
age is a rare pleasure as most of us are few and far between. Everyone has
a different visual impairment, background, and story. Hearing all of them is
both exciting and exhilarating.
Added
perks include free Braille books, enthusiastic volunteers, and rekindling old
friendships as new ones are formed. The icing on the cake, I’ve found, is
stepping out of your comfort zone, pushing yourself to meet new people and do
the best you can even if it means your friend wins. After all, the challenge is
about something bigger than winning prizes. It is about promoting Braille
literacy, showing others your love of braille, and thanking all of those
individuals who taught you to read and write. Braille is the system by which
people who are blind define words. Without it, we would not have a voice.
For
these reasons, I find myself relying on my fingers to read instead of always
listening to spoken text. I covet the few Braille books I own and save my money
to buy more. I am appreciative of the Braille skills I possess because I know
that not everyone has the opportunity to learn Braille. Therefore, I thank the
Braille Challenge for their kindness and contributions to my academic and
professional success for I don’t know where I would be today had I not started
competing in 2008.
Jess Minneci is a senior at Seton Hill University and an intern at
APH.
She is a three-time National Braille Challenge participant
and has
previously volunteered with ACB. She is a poet and aspiring
novelist who enjoys filming youtube videos about young adult
novels and spending time with her
guide dog Joyce.
