Each contest entry is given a mark out of 50 for braille accuracy and a mark out of 50 for creativity. The combined score (out of 100) determines the first, second and third place winners for each group and category.
Braille Accuracy
Braille accuracy marking is done by CNIB Beyond Print Braille Room volunteer transcribers. Each entry is marked according to the braille proficiency level indicated on the entry form (students are marked according to what they indicate they have learned).
Creativity
Each year a Canadian author (Children or Young Adult books) is invited to volunteer for this role.
2026 Contest Judge: Lene Andersen
Lene — pronounced Lena — Andersen is an award-winning writer, health and disability advocate, and photographer living in Toronto. She writes books that centre the lived experience of disability and chronic illness, including two non-fiction books on living well with chronic illness, as well as a prose poem on chronic pain. She is writing her first novel and grateful for the support received from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council grants. Lene has an MSW with a background in human rights and health reporting, and her writing is informed by these perspectives, as well as her own experience with lifelong chronic illness and disability. She lives in Toronto with a pack of cats and too many books.
Volunteer as a judge!
As a volunteer judge, you'll be reviewing 50+ text entries (including poetry, stories and essays) and giving them a score for creativity. The guest judge typically has July and August to review approx. 50 entries and provide feedback. Note: each entry will have already been assigned a score for Braille Proficiency prior to you reviewing/scoring the creativity.
Learn more about what's involved and how to become a volunteer judge for the CNIB Braille Creative Writing Contest. Review the volunteer judge application.