Christopher Abel of Acworth recently placed first in his age division of the 15th Annual National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, the only national reading and writing contest in Braille for students who are blind and visually impaired.
Braille is a writing system that enables blind and partially sighted people to read and write through touch.
In the Braille Challenge, a speed and accuracy test has competitors using specially designed Braille typewriters to transcribe audio recordings. Competitors get a point for each correct word and lose two for each mistake. They also have to take multiple-choice tests written in Braille and proofread written statements in “contracted” Braille, a kind of shorthand where a series of raised dots can represent not just individual letters but whole words.
More than 1,100 students participated in regional events in the United States and Canada. Fifty-seven finalists from the United States and Canada competed on June 20. Christopher won in his age group, which includes fifth- and sixth-graders. This year, 172 children in Christopher's age group competed in regional events across the country with only the top 12 invited to the National Braille Challenge, which is sponsored by the Braille Institute.
Christopher has placed in the top three in his age group every year he’s competed over the past six years.
Christopher, 12, is a rising seventh-grader at Palmer Middle School in Kennesaw. An avid reader currently working on “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher started learning Braille when he was about 3 years old. Christopher, who was born blind, also plays chess, plays the trumpet and competes in Brazilian jiujitsu.
“Christopher wants to do the best at everything he tries,” said Christopher’s mother, Patty Abel. “He works hard and is an enthusiastic learner. Our family and our community are proud of him.”
About the win, Christopher said, “hard work pays off.”
According to the National Federation of the Blind, only about 10 percent of children learn Braille while growing up. Most youngsters turn to audio books, reading services and computer programs that turn text to sound. But advocates point to the benefits of learning Braille, which they say is a tool for literacy that can't be replaced by audio. A recent survey of 500 respondents by the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute revealed a correlation between the ability to read Braille and a higher educational level, a higher likelihood of employment, and a higher income.
Various projects are in the works that use technology to help Braille make a comeback — one includes making screens out of ceramic that changes shape when exposed to electric currents.
"Studies show people expect less of someone with a disability," said Nancy Niebrugge, associate vice president of National Programs at the Braille Institute. "Part of the challenge is to show what these kids are capable of … . It is very rigorous and these children are really accomplished as a group. And it shows that given the right tools, they can succeed like anyone."
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