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

[Lisa Hall]

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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