The World Blind Union Asia Pacific Onkyo Braille Essay competition is now open for entries, closing 15 June 2019. If you or someone you know is a writer who uses braille, please read the information below and share with your networks. We look forward to receiving your entries by 15 June. Should you have any questions, please contact Samantha Marsh on 1800 033 660.
About the Contest
The Onkyo World Braille Essay Contest is a worldwide initiative planned and sponsored by Onkyo Corporation Ltd. and the Braille Mainichi in Japan, and is implemented by the World Blind Union-Asia Pacific (WBUAP). It is administered locally by the Australian National Onkyo Selection Committee for the World Braille Essay Contest. The Committee comprises representatives from Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) and other blindness agencies and organisations whose focus is on information access and braille.
The purpose of the contest is to promote Braille literacy and encourage the reading and writing of Braille; and to encourage cultural and social interaction among blind and vision impaired persons through their writings. The top 5 entries will be sent to the WBUAP Onkyo Selection Committee for final consideration, and any winning Australian entries will be published in Blind Citizens News.
This is an annual competition, with cash prizes awarded to the best seven entries received from within the WBU Asia Pacific Region. The main prize, “the Otsuki Prize” is $US 1000. Other prizes are for “Excellent Works” ($US 500) and “Fine Works” (either $US 300 or $US 200) depending on the age group. Participation in the contest is open to people from 14 years of age, living in the World Blind Union-Asia Pacific Region. Entries are divided into two age groups: persons between the ages of 14 and 25 years; and persons from the age of 26 years upwards.
Essay topics
- Having Overcome the Challenges of Blindness, How I Can or Have Contributed to Society.
- The Significance of Braille in the IT Era and in my daily life.
- The people or organisations which have helped me on my journey to success.
- How Music Has Shaped My Life and Changed the Attitude of Society Towards Blindness.
The closing date for entries is 15 June 2019. Winners will be notified in November 2019.
Essays must be between 700 and 1,000 words and presented in hard copy Braille or in computerised Braille if you can provide proof of your Braille literacy. This can be in the form of a letter from your Braille instructor, teacher or other professional who can vouch for your skills.
When submitting your essay to Blind Citizens Australia, you must also provide (1) An electronic photo of yourself and (2) a cover letter stating your full name, address, and contact details, your date of birth and your status ie. student, home maker, worker. If you are a student, please state what school you are from including the name, address and email contact for your school.
Entries must be submitted to BCA by June 15 2019 at:
Attention: Samantha Marsh
Blind Citizens Australia
Ross House
Level 3, 247-251 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Good luck!