National Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
Braille Reading Pals Program, and
Edlund Kansas Braille Reading Contest for 2007 - 2008
PURPOSE
The purpose of these contests and programs is to encourage blind children -- and adults! -- to read more Braille. Good readers have confidence in themselves and in their abilities to learn and to adapt to new situations throughout their lifetimes. Braille is a viable alternative to print, yet too many blind children are graduating from our schools with low expectations for themselves as readers. They do not know that Braille readers can be competitive with print readers. Too many adults think they cannot learn Braille. This contest helps blind children and adults realize that reading Braille is fun and rewarding.
National Federation of the Blind and National Association of Parents of Blind Children: Braille Readers are Leaders Contest
Information on the National contest as well as Registration forms can be found at the following website. Braille Readers are Leaders National Contest
NFB of Kansas: Edlund Contest
The NFB of Kansas' Edlund contest was established to build on the successes of the Braille Readers are Leaders contest and to give more youth a chance to participate. The Edlund contest follows the same rules as the Braille Readers are Leaders contest. With the following variations.
Edlund Kansas Prizes
Winning first-place contestants will receive both a certificate and the following monetary prizes --
- $250 in the Elementary School category,
- $500 in the Middle School category,
- $750 in the High School category,
- and $1000 in the Adult category.
Prizes will be awarded at the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas, Inc. in the fall of 2008.
Edlund Kansas Contest Rules
Winners will be chosen based on the number of Braille pages read. The completed contest entry form should be postmarked no later than August 31, 2006. Contestants must submit with the entry form a print list of the materials and pages read. In addition, there must be a Braille letter explaining how the use of Braille has improved the applicant's life. Entry forms without the list and letter will not be considered.
Edlund Kansas Certifying Authority
The certifying authority is responsible for:
- verifying that the student read the Braille material listed and that the material was read between November 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008;
- filling out and sending in the contest entry form in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion and;
- assisting the student in finding Braille materials to read for the contest.
For the K-12 categories, teachers, librarians, and parents are qualified to serve as certifying authorities. For Adults, Kansas Rehabilitation Teachers and Braille Reading Instructors are qualified to serve as certifying authorities. The certifying authority must be prepared to cooperate if the contest judges have questions or need additional information about an entry. All decisions of the judges are final.
For More Information on the Edlund Kansas Contest
Ms Sharon Luka;
443 Hazel;
Salina, Kansas, 67401;
sluk@tri.net
Braille Reading Pals
Braille Reading Pals is a non-competitive Braille reading-readiness program for blind infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and older students with reading delays. The purpose of the program is to give blind and visually impaired children an equal start toward literacy. The program has two goals: to expose families
of blind and visually impaired children to Braille, and to encourage parents to read aloud to their children a minimum of fifteen minutes a day during the two-month program period from November 1 to December 31. Select the following link to obtain registration forms and for more information about the program:
Braille Reading Pals overview and registration.
