[Cinci-nfb] braille challenge of ohio 2017 competition schedule for march 3, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Sun Jan 15 23:34:24 UTC 2017

Lisa. I'd like to re-post this too the Chapter FB page as well as the group for children with ONH that I'm on. Hopefully this will generate some participation.

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Hall via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 2:18 AM
To: ohio-talk at nfbnet.org; cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org; wmitch at zoomtown.com
Cc: Lisa Hall
Subject: [Cinci-nfb] braille challenge of ohio 2017 competition schedule for march 3, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Hi everyone,

I want to make a big push to find more blind kids throughout the state of Ohio who are in first through 12th grade who are Braille readers. I have been serving on the Planning Committee since April of last year and the time is getting closer than ever. This is the first year that Clovernook is hosting this event in partnership with Braille Institute of America of Los Angeles, California. All permission slips must be submitted to Clovernook by February 20, 2017 so that we can get a final count for any last minute planning. All contact information is listed in the press release below.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hall, Vice President
National Federation of the Blind Cincinnati Chapter

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release

Media Contact:
Jessica Salyers, VP of Fund Development & Community Relations
513.728.6216
jsalyers at clovernook.org

Clovernook Center Hosts 2017 Regional Braille Challenge for Students Who Are Blind & Visually Impaired Over 1000 Students Across North America Celebrate Braille Skills

April 25, 2016 Cincinnati, OH – Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in collaboration with the Braille Institute of America, will be hosting the First Regional Braille Challenge for the State of Ohio on Friday, March 3, 2017.
The Braille Challenge, now in its 16th year, is the only national reading and writing contest in braille for students who are blind and visually impaired. Regionals are open to students of all abilities, giving even emerging braille readers a chance to reach a personal best score. It’s also a rare chance for students who are blind or visually impaired and attend mainstream schools (rather than schools for students who are blind and visually impaired) to make friends and share their hopes and challenges with peers. But for those top academics, the Ohio State Regional Competition is the first step to the coveted national finals Braille Challenge competition held at the Los Angeles headquarters of the Braille Institute. At the finals, 50 students with the highest scores from around North America embark on another daylong competition to test their braille skills alongside their peers. 
Immediately following the competition, winners from each age group are announced at an awards ceremony unparalleled with excitement, pride and celebration.

On March 3, 2017 students from all over Ohio will gather at Clovernook Center, in North College Hill, to test their braille skills in five
categories: reading, comprehension, braille spelling, chart and graph reading, proofreading and braille speed and accuracy.  “This is an exciting event for us to be hosting – specifically, as one of the largest braille producers in North America,” says Chris Faust, President and CEO of Clovernook Center.  “This is also a great way for us to meet youth with expertise in areas where we, as an organization strive to excel.  We are always looking for future talent, and this will give us a chance to meet the next generation of braillers before they are even ready to join the workforce!”

The theme for the Ohio State Braille Challenge will be Braille All Stars, playing off of Cincinnati’s baseball all-star theme.  The Braille Challenge will include fun activities for the entire family. 
Jackie Conner, the chairperson of this event and Vice Present of Clovernook Center’s Mulitstate Center East says “this is a great way to engage and inspire kids to get involved with braille.  This is especially important as we see declining rates of braille literacy among children with vision loss.”

If you would like more information on the event itself, or how you can get involved as a volunteer, sponsor or participant, please contact Deanna Lewis at 1-888-234-7156 or by email at braillechallenge at clovernook.org.

About Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Since 1903, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been providing life-enriching opportunities and empowering people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and full participants in their communities. Program Services annually assists more than 1,200 individuals, helping them to adapt and overcome the challenges of vision impairment. Employment Services provides job opportunities and coaching for consumers who want to work in their local community, or in Clovernook Center’s own Social Enterprises which provide a variety of employment opportunities for more than 55 people with vision loss. Clovernook’s Arts and Recreation department provides a powerful outlet for individuals to express themselves artistically, share personal insights, and join together with others who face similar challenges. Youth Services include six-weeks of summer day camps. As well as year-round activities for youth ages 8 to 22 who are blind or visually impaired. Additionally, our Braille Printing House prints books, magazines and other materials for the National Library Services and braille patrons worldwide. More information can be accessed at www.clovernook.org.

About Braille Institute of America
Braille Institute of America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. It serves tens of thousands of people of all ages each year through an array of integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services designed to help people with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives. Funded entirely by private donations, all services are completely free-of-charge. Braille Institute's Los Angeles headquarters are located at 741 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit www.braillechallenge.org. or www.brailleinstitute.org. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/brailleinstitute and on twitter @BrailleInst

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