Blind, Visually Impaired Students Test Skills at Regional Braille Challenge

More than 50 blind and visually impaired students recently gathered at the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, 1410 N. 21st St., Tampa to test their Braille reading skills during the West Florida Regional Braille Challenge.

The regional challenges are held annually at locations all over the U.S. and Canada to encourage Braille literacy.

This year, participants in grades kindergarten through 12 competed across five categories, including reading comprehension, transcription speed and accuracy, spelling, chart and graph reading, and proofreading. During the themed “Red, White and Braille” event, teachers and parents helped cheer on the participants while they displayed their Braille reading and transcription skills.

“Braille literacy is proven to help blind and visually impaired students beat the odds, find employment and live more successful lives,” said Jason Woody, president and CEO of the Lions Eye Institute. “Every year, we look forward to this great event and we are so proud of all of these students, families and teachers.”

The Lions Eye Institute Foundation, Florida Medical Clinic, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired and Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind sponsor the West Florida Regional Braille Challenge.

For more details, click here.

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