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A young child's hands write with a slate and stylus.

About the Contest

What is the Braille Creative Writing Contest?

Since 1997, CNIB has organized a Canada-wide Braille Creative Writing Contest for children and youth. This important competition celebrates braille literacy and encourages young people to flex their creative muscles while practicing their braille skills. Put the power of literacy at your fingertips! Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you've written for school this year.

Who can participate?

The contest is open to primary and secondary students (grades K-12) who are blind or partially sighted and live in Canada.

What can I win?

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, first, second and third place contest winners in their respective categories will receive a cash prize! Winning submissions may also be published on cnib.ca. 

What can I submit? 

We want to read YOUR writing. By signing our entry form you will be agreeing that any entry you submit to our contest has been produced without substantial assistance of ChatGPT or other Artificial Intelligence. Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic (in English or French). 

We accept original poems and stories written in: 

  • Contracted or uncontracted braille (and everything in between)
  • Perkins or computer (6-key entry)
  • Computer braille is accepted, but all braille contractions must represent the work of the student, not braille translation software
  • If an entry is in partially contracted braille, the student must also send a teacher's letter explaining which contractions have been taught to date; the teacher's letter may also explain any special circumstances

How to Enter

Entries are accepted between March 1 and May 31 each year. Entries which arrive after May 31 will not be accepted for the contest.Submit your short story, essay, or poem on any topic (in English or French): 

  1. Complete the Contest Entry Form
  2. Download The Contest Rules and Prize Info

For more information about the Braille Creative Writing Contest, please contact Karen Brophey, Central Lead, Literacy at karen.brophey@cnib.ca.

What are the contest categories?

Story/Essay

  • Group One (Grade K-2)
  • Group Two (Grades 3-5)
  • Group Three (Grades 6-8)
  • Group Four (Grades 9-12)

Poetry

  • Group One (Grade K-2)
  • Group Two (Grades 3-5)
  • Group Three (Grades 6-8)
  • Group Four (Grades 9-12)