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Indiana student wins Annual Braille Challenge

The competition, which was held at the University of Southern California, is an international reading and writing competition for those who are blind or visually impaired.

LOS ANGELES (WTHR) — After two days of competition, an Indiana teen has won the 18th Annual Braille Challenge.

The competition, which was held at the University of Southern California, is an international reading and writing competition for those who are blind or visually impaired.

Mitchell Bridewell

"The Braille Challenge is an academic competition focused on promoting braille literacy among children who live with vision loss, while also demystifying higher education and supporting their academic and social skills,” said Peter Mindnich, president, Braille Institute. “We hope that by participating in this competition, contestants will gain more self-confidence and be more independent. ..."

Mitchell Bridwell from Pittsboro, Indiana, was this year's winner.

More than 1,100 braille readers participated in regional events but only 50 qualified for the final round in Los Angeles.

“By participating in the Braille Challenge finals ... the participants are able to experience life on a college campus, which helps take the mystery out of higher education,” said Sergio Oliva, MPA, Director, Programs and Services at Braille Institute. “They also have the opportunity to explore career options, find out about resources available for them and their families, and learn about successfully transitioning from high school to college.”

This challenge is the only one of its kind in the world.

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