Ohio Regional Braille Challenge makes first stop in Stark County

AI-assisted summary
• The Ohio Regional Braille Challenge was held in Stark County for the first time.
• The competition tests students on fundamental braille literacy skills.
• The Stark County Educational Service Center provides services to about 140 students with visual impairments.

JACKSON TWP. – Amari Beasley's had butterflies in her stomach.

"It's just nerves," her teacher Leslie Ullum-Shaheen said. "She's never done this before and we need to reassure her but I think she's excited, too."

Beasley was among a group of about 15 students competing in the northern division Ohio Regional Braille Challenge. It was held for the first time in Stark County last week at the Stark County Educational Service Center.

For many of the students, it was the first time they would participate in such a unique exam.

Beasley, a sixth grader at Pfeiffer Intermediate School, has been learning braille since kindergarten. The 12-year-old's skills were put to the test.

What is the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge?

The competition, hosted by Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, focuses on fundamental braille literacy skills such as reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading and charts and graphs.

Braille is a system of dots that allows those with vision problems to read and write by touch.

"The Braille Challenge is the only academic challenge of its kind for blindness and visual impairment," Stephanie Jones, the Ohio regional braille coordinator for Clovernook, said.

For the past nine years, Clovernook has hosted the regional competition in Cincinnati. Transportation and distance often hindered participation by students in Northeast Ohio, Jones said.

"We wanted to broaden our reach and eliminate the barrier (of transportation). We're so excited to get to come up to Stark County," she said. "They've (ESC) been a great partner to work with."

Jones hopes to further their reach into Northeast Ohio by bringing other activities and events to the area. Right now, she is looking for a space to hold an Easter egg hunt for the visually-impaired.

"This is the first time a lot of our school-aged children will get a chance to participate in something like this," said Cory Levy, a teacher of students with visual impairments for the Stark County Educational Service Center.

Helping visually-impaired students in school

The ESC provides direct and consultative services to approximately 140 students with visual impairments at ESC member schools, according to Susie McKelvey, executive director of students services for the ESC. The students have a variety of vision issues from partial loss to blindness.

Teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) evaluate the needs of visually-impaired students and provide instruction of braille and the use of low vision devices and other adaptive technology.

Instructors also help students navigate community settings like stores, restaurants, and public transportation independently and evaluate students' ability to travel safely within their school environment, McKelvey said.

Ullum-Shaheen, Beasley's instructor, said there is no one-size-fits-all approach for those they assist.

Factors include the level of vision problems as well as learning abilities, she said.

Learning braille is not easy, Ullum-Shaheen added. Competitions like this allow students to showcase their skills while also being among peers who face the same challenges.

"The reason I think this is so important is often times these kids feel isolated," Ullum-Shaheen said. "Here they get to be around other kids like them and they get to connect socially."

Beasley was excited to reconnect with old friends. After moving around and attending different schools, she hoped some of her friends would be attending the competition.

Students, parents enjoy the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge

Leslie Anderson and her daughter, Pammie, were anxiously awaiting the start of the competition. Pammie, a seventh grader at Massillon Middle School, is just beginning her journey with braille.

"I'm a little nervous," the 13-year-old said. "I'm still learning the basics."

Pammie suffered a traumatic brain injury at 10 1/2 weeks, suffering retinal damage. She has no peripheral vision and sometimes her vision comes and goes.

"I wanted her to see she is not the only one," Leslie Anderson said. "She is a a small group class (at Massillon) but she is the only one with vision needs."

Anderson also hopes to learn more about braille and resources to help her daughter.

"I'd love to find a summer camp for her," she said. "She has physical disabilities, too. I just can't send her to the Y camp."

During a demonstration of the Perkins Brailler typewriter before the competition, students practiced typing after Jones provided them with a prompt "I like braille because ..."

Mila Nash, a fifth grader at Kensington Intermediate School in Rocky River, answered that it makes her feel more unique.

This was not Nash's first competition.

"I'm pretty sure that I won first place (last year) and that is what I want to do again," the 11-year-old said.

Winners from the event will be announced later. The testing data will be sent to the Braille Institute in California for analysis. Participants could qualify to advance to the Braille Institute's Braille Challenge Finals this summer.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.