[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Announces Winners of 2016 Onkyo Braille Essay Contest

[Danielsen, Chris]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
National Federation of the Blind Announces Winners of 2016 Onkyo 
Braille Essay Contest
Competition Encourages Braille Usage Among the Blind

Baltimore, Maryland (January 11, 2017): The National Federation of 
the Blind (NFB), the oldest and largest organization of blind people 
in the United States, is proud to announce the winners of the 2016 
Onkyo Braille Essay Contest. The NFB administered the Onkyo Braille 
Essay Contest on behalf of the North America/Caribbean Region of the 
World Blind Union. The essay contest, sponsored by Onkyo Corporation, 
a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, and the Braille 
Mainichi, part of the Mainichi Newspaper Company in Japan, was 
created to promote Braille literacy and to encourage the sharing of 
social and cultural information among blind and visually impaired persons.

The essays were required to be written in Braille and could be 
written on a variety of proposed topics related to the importance of 
Braille. There were two groups of competitors: a junior category for 
persons up to age twenty-five and a senior category for persons aged 
twenty-six or older. Each winner received a substantial cash prize, a 
plaque, and other gifts from the Onkyo Corporation.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "We are very pleased to have been a part of this important 
contest. There can be no doubt that the ability to read and write 
Braille competently and efficiently is the key to education, 
employment, and success for the blind. Despite the undisputed value 
of Braille, however, only about 10 percent of blind children in the 
United States are learning it. We congratulate the contest winners 
and commend them for demonstrating the positive impact Braille has 
had on their lives through their essays, and also for raising 
awareness of the importance of Braille literacy as they live the 
lives they want."

The seven winners from the North America/Caribbean Region were as follows:

Otsuki Prize
Larry Johnson, Texas, US

Excellent Work Award, Senior
Carol Begay Green, New Mexico, US

Fine Work Award, Senior
Charmaine Co, British Columbia, Canada
Ann Parsons, New York, US

Excellent Work Award, Junior
Juan Avila, California, US

Fine Work Award, Junior
Josh Andrews, Illinois, US
Samoya Jordan, Kingston, Jamaica

The NFB encouraged all countries in the North America/Caribbean 
Region to participate in the Onkyo Braille Essay Contest. Essays were 
submitted from the United States, Canada, and Jamaica.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create 
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
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