Important Covid-19 Update:

Well, what a year 2020 has been! We are balancing the impact of a global pandemic with the critical need for our youth to continue their learning. In developing plans to start the 2021 Braille Challenge season, we have focused on strategies that allow youth to return to participating in our programs while prioritizing the health and wellness of all involved.

BIA had to switch up the way that we offer programs, so by offering in-person and virtual program options, we are providing you, our regional partners, a choice that allows you to deliver high-quality programming in formats which will best meet your specific needs.

Braille Challenge Regionals Modified Program Delivery:

Each Braille Challenge Regional is unique and has unique needs. In the “Resource Documents” link below you will find the 2021 Pandemic Supplemental Handbook. In this handbook we have provided various options for program delivery to accommodate a wide range of needs. There are modified in-person options as well as virtual.

For any in-person programming options, please adhere to the recommended safety guidelines: CDC Guidelines for attending events or gatherings

Regionals will still be provided with the support you are used to from us. Collateral Order Form, Participant goodies, and sponsored prizes will continue.

Thank you for supporting this program. We appreciate your patience in understanding that this a rapidly evolving situation, and we are doing our best to monitor the situation and make decisions based on facts and recommendations from state and federal officials. As things evolve, we will continue to communicate updates and necessary changes to you, our regional partners. If you have specific questions/concerns, please email us and we will respond as quickly as we can.

Resource Documents

This page is your place for up-to-date information about The Braille Challenge.

  • The 2021 Braille Challenge season opens from January 1, 2021 through March 14, 2021. The online contest order form will be live in November through the links below.
  • The contest ordering page for TVI’s will be open from November through February 21, 2021.
  • The contest ordering page for REGIONAL COORDINATORS will be open from November through February 5, 2021.
  • All Regional Coordinators are sent the following materials: an electronic scoring grid and registration log listing students who have participated in their regional in the last year, customized permission forms, promotional postcards, and customized artwork for T-shirts. Please contact Matthew Beckwith at mjbeckwith@brailleinstitute.org or Rachel Antoine at rantoine@brailleinstitute.org.
  • Updated scoring materials and guidelines can be found on the Resource Documents page.
  • All additional instructions are in the updated handbook, found on the Resource Documents page.

ALL CONTESTS across ALL
GRADE LEVELS ARE IN UEB.

Resources for Learning UEB

Hadley School for the Blind UEB Transition Course

UEB Online: Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children’s Renwick Centre (a training program for sighted people to learn UEB).

BANA’s The ABCs of UEB: authored by Constance Risjord (a program for those who already know EBAE to quickly build on their knowledge of braille to understand UEB).

CNIB Transcriber’s UEB Course: “Update to UEB” file types: Word, print .pdf, .brf, and .dxb.