iBraille Challenge

The iBraille Challenge app for iPad is designed to provide students who are blind and who read braille with a digital platform for practicing their braille literacy skills. This app was built to replicate four of the five test types that are used in The National Braille Challenge literacy contest - an annual, nation-wide literacy challenge sponsored by the Braille Institute of America. The app is designed to be used with a refreshable braille display and contains the following Braille Challenge tests: Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Speed & Accuracy and Proofreading. All tests follow the same form and format as the annual paper-based Braille Challenge, except this app is designed to give students the ability to practice self-administered tests to improve their literacy skills. Simply download the app to your iPad and select the Sign-Up button on the login page. Each user will be required to set up an account by providing their email address and some broad information relating to their age, grade, school and experience reading/writing in braille. Students will use their email address as their username and will receive five-digit passcode by email that they will use as their password. This app is designed to be used with a refreshable braille display. Upon initial login, each student will need to select their current grade range: Apprentice: 1st - 2nd grade Freshman: 3rd - 4th grade Sophomore: 5th - 6th grade Junior Varsity: 7th - 9th grade Varsity: 10th - 12th grade Once an age range is selected, all test content presented in the app will be grade/age appropriate for the student. The app contains tutorial audio/videos and thorough, accessible instructions that can be emailed to the user. Visit our website at http://www.brailleinstitute.org/ibraille-challenge-practice-app for more information, instructions, tutorials and other materials. The iBraille Challenge app was developed through a partnership between California State University Los Angeles and Braille Institute of America - through the Stepping Up Technology Implementation grant awarded through the Department of Education / Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP 327S120007).