[Nfbf-l] THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO YOU

[Judith Hamilton]

This was in the Tallahassee Democrat on 2/14/09.

Fla. students compete in Braille Challenge
Contest is a preliminary to only national academic competition for blind students
By Akeem Anderson . DEMOCRAT WRITER . February 14, 2009 

For the past week and a half, 8-year-old Darren Garland Jr. has had one thing on his mind. 
"He hasn't stopped talking about this," his father, Darren Garland, said. 


The jovial second-grade student was overwhelmed with excitement because of his chance to compete in the North Florida Braille Challenge, a national program of Braille Institute of America. 

The Fort Walton Beach youngster was one of eight students who came to Florida State University's College of Education on Friday to take part in the competition. The contest is a preliminary to the only national academic competition for blind students. 

"We have students come from five different counties to compete," said program coordinator Sue Glaser. "And they are very excited. It allows them to meet other kids like them and improve their Braille skills." 

The students, ranging in age from 6 to 19, compete in five categories that will challenge their skills to transcribe, type and read Braille material. 

"Some students compete in accuracy and speed," Glaser said. "Some do proofreading, spelling ... But it all takes a lot of skill." 

Support for competing students was in no short supply as they were ushered in to introduction music, cheers and pom-pom waving parents to start the day. 

"Some of the kids are a little nervous," Glaser said. "But just seeing their faces at the pep rally you can see that it really is a big deal for them. And not just the kids. The parents too." 

Darren and his parents made a three-hour trek from Fort Walton Beach to participate in the event. 

"He was born with it (blindness)," Darren Sr. said. "But we knew we couldn't waste time feeling bad about it. The sooner you start making arrangements for him to be successful the better things are." 

This year's event theme was "Do you have a need for Braille speed?" Glaser said the event's sole mission is to celebrate the students' efforts. 

"We designed this program 10 years ago to motivate, recognize and honor these students," Glaser said. "Most of these kids are in their local public schools. These are special students in regular classrooms." 

The winner of the competition will move closer to the national competition to be held in June in Los Angeles.

Below is the shortened URL for the article with pictures . 
http://tiny.cc/yC7Pp