The Braille Institute's Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or partially sighted. Contestants compete in regional preliminary Braille Challenge events from January through March, and the top 50 students (10 in each category) with the highest scores are then invited to compete in the finals.
Who can participate?
Elementary and secondary students in Ontario who read or write braille. Testing is also available in other provinces through their regional competitions. Test your braille skills in the Ontario Regional Braille Challenge 2026! Encourage your students to take part in this exciting literacy event that celebrates braille reading and writing skills.
Deadlines:
- Registration deadline: January 9, 2026.
- Testing window: February 23 – March 6, 2026.
- Materials will be sent directly to your student’s TVI, and testing takes place at school.
The Ontario Regional Braille Challenge motto is: TEST WITHOUT STRESS – Keep Calm, Braille On, and have fun!
Students can look forward to:
- Access to practice tests to help them prepare.
- Plenty of support for students, families, and TVIs.
- A Braille Challenge kit from CNIB with everything needed — including fun swag!
- Convenient testing at your school, anytime between February 23 and March 6, 2026.
- Once testing is complete, simply return the materials to CNIB for marking.
Other Regional Braille Challenge Events
Outside of Ontario, there may be other organizations that run regional Braille Challenge events. To learn more, please visit the Braille Institute – Braille Challenge list of regional events.
Registration required. To register, please complete the CNIB Auto Registration Form.
For more information, please contact Karen Brophey, Central Lead, Literacy at karen.brophey@cnib.ca or call 647-302-4047.