More Information

Regional Events Scheduled for 2012

Visit our Regional Preliminary Events page for a list of agencies holding regional Braille Challenge events this winter. To participate in a regional event, please contact the agency directly to register.

Due to Web maintenance, the Online Preliminary Contest Packet Request forms for both individual and agency participation will not be available for online submission on the first Friday of each month, between the hours of noon and 8 p.m., Pacific Time.

Register for a Preliminary Contest

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Each year 60 national finalists are determined through the Preliminary Braille Challenge Contest, which is held each winter from January through the first week of March.

Teachers—If your student will be taking the Preliminary Braille Challenge individually with you serving as proctor, please fill out and submit the form below. You will be sent a packet that includes details about the contest, guidelines on how to be a proctor and further information for families. Registrations must be received between November 1 and December 16, 2011. Please register all of your students on one form. If you have any problems submitting the online form, please call Braille Institute at 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) or Christine Pak at 323-663-1111, Ext. 1321.


Preliminary Contest Request Form for Teachers

If you would like to register your student to take the Preliminary Braille Challenge at a regional event hosted by an agency in your state, click here for a list of sites and contact information.

A student may only take the 2012 Preliminary Contest ONCE.

How to determine grade level and if a regional event is right for your student

Download the sample contests listed on our site for each academic level to help you decide whether The Braille Challenge is appropriate for your students. These samples are representative of the difficulty level of the preliminary round contests. When you've decided on which of your students would benefit, start talking it up!

All students at all academic levels are welcome to participate in the Preliminary Contest, both individually and at a regional event. Every student who completes a Preliminary Round Contest will be acknowledged with a certificate and a special prize, so everyone is a winner.

A student may take the Apprentice contest in either uncontracted or contracted braille, and a student of any age may take a contest at any grade level—however, only those students who complete the contest at their appropriate academic grade level and according to the guidelines, and that are proctored by a certified teacher for children who are visually impaired, will be eligible to compete in The Braille Challenge finals in June.

Blind service agencies and state schools for blind and visually impaired children throughout the United States and Canada host their own fun-filled Braille Challenge regional events each year between January and mid-March. A regional event offers students of all reading levels a broad and enriching experience. Most include parent workshops, entertainment, speakers, or access technology demonstrations. But more importantly, the regionals give parents of blind children the opportunity to meet each other and set the stage for students to experience the exhilaration of live competition and receive acknowledgment for their hard work. However, for some students this may be over-stimulating or too stressful and not always optimal for success. If you feel your student may need any special consideration, please contact the Regional Coordinator in your area.