Chicago Lighthouse Hosts 2011 Illinois Braille Challenge March 5th

CHICAGO, IL, March 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Talented youngsters from across the state who are blind will participate in the 2011 Illinois Regional Braille Challenge at The Chicago Lighthouse on Saturday, March 5th.

Designed to promote Braille literacy and awareness, the 2011 Challenge enables students to compete in a series of five contests demonstrating skills such as Braille reading and comprehension, accuracy and speed, spelling, and proofreading.

In addition to cash prizes, winners will earn a chance to compete in the national finals to be held this summer in Los Angeles.

This very special event will be hosted by the Lighthouse's Instructional Materials Center (IIMC), which provides books and other material in Braille and large print to more than 4,000 blind or visually impaired students in Illinois.

"We are delighted to host the 2011 Challenge and to welcome these outstanding students and their families to the Lighthouse," said Melanie Hennessy, IIMC Director. "This competition will help showcase the major role Braille still plays in the education of so many young people who are blind."

Hennessy noted that as an added plus, this year's program will feature a Hawaiian theme with entertainment and lunch offering a touch of the Aloha State.

"I also want to salute the presenting sponsor, the Stone Family, as well as the national sponsors: Humanware, National Braille Press, Seedlings Braille Books for Children and The Braille Institute Auxiliary," Hennessy said. "Their generous support will ensure that we have a most memorable occasion."

For more information on the 2011 Braille Challenge, visit: http://www.chicagolighthouse.org/braille-challenge or contact Melanie Hennessy at 312/666-1331, ext. 3697.

Founded in 1906, The Chicago Lighthouse is one of the nation's most comprehensive social service agencies. It houses a state-of-the-art retail store especially designed for blind or visually impaired shoppers with several top of the line electronic reading devices; the nation's oldest and most prominent low vision care and rehabilitation program; one of the few remaining clock manufacturing facilities in the U.S.; a nationally acclaimed school for children who are blind with multi-disabilities; a world renowned employment services department; and a VA program serving veterans in all 50 states.