User:BasicallyGood/Braille Challenge/List of Braille Institute's Annual Braille Challenge Champions

The Braille Challenge, sponsored by Braille Institute of America, is a competition held annually in California at Braille Institute's headquarters in Los Angeles. The participants, ages 6 to 19, compete in challenging categories requiring them to transcribe, type and read braille using a device called a Perkins Brailler.

The Braille Challenge started locally in 2000 sponsored by Braille Institute to help encourage and promote students’ braille literacy and skills. In 2003 Braille Institute began partnering with other organizations and formed an advisory committee in order to make the Braille Challenge accessible to all kids across the United States and Canada. That year, 200 students from 28 states, and four Canadian provinces traveled to participate in the regional events, sending 55 finalists to Los Angeles to compete for the 2003 Braille Challenge title. Participation in the contest has doubled since 2003. By 2005 the institute received 775 requests for the preliminary contest, representing students from 40 states and six Canadian provinces. In 2009, 31 blind service agencies and schools for the blind and visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada are hosting regional events. Over 500 students participated regionally in 2009.

List of champions

Year	Winning Category	Winner	Sponsor	Sponsor's location	Notes