Minnesota Braille Challenge

SparkPath, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Region 11 Low Incidence Project at BrightWorks are working together to coordinate the Minnesota Braille Challenge. The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind for students in grades 1-12 with low-to-no vision. Nationally organized by the Braille Institute, the program has been promoting braille literacy through rigorous academic competitions across the globe for over 25 years.

Contest Age Groups: 

• Apprentice (uncontracted): grades 1-2
• Freshman: grades 3-4
• Sophomore: grades 5-6
• Junior Varsity: grades 7-9
• Varsity: grades 10-12
• Fundamental: interactive braille-focused activities that are not scored

Contest Categories:

• Spelling (grades 1-4)
• Reading Comprehension (grades 1-12)
• Proofreading (grades 1-12)
• Charts and Graphs (grades 5-12)
• Speed and Accuracy (grades 5-12)

Competition Day

Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026

Location: Bethel University’s Anderson Center building (SparkPath & BrightWorks office) – 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112

Time: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Registration

Fill out the appropriate Google form below to sign up for the MN Braille Challenge. If you would like a PDF version of the student or teacher form, please email Madi Ericksen.

• Student Registration/Permission Form
• Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired Form
• Volunteer Form

Partners

Thank you to our 2026 partners for supporting the second Minnesota Braille Challenge! If you would like to learn more about supporting the competition, please contact Madi Ericksen at 612-638-1514.