In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the Missouri Council of the Blind will sponsor an essay contest.  The essay topic will be how Braille has affected the writers life. The essay shall be 500 words are less.

The essay will be judged on:

1. Content
2. Originality
3. Formatting
4. Grammar and punctuation

The essay may be written in contracted  or uncontracted Braille and shall be written with either a slate and stylus or a Perkins Brailler. The essay shall in some way contain a reference to the Missouri Council of the Blind.

Winner of the essay contest will receive the new Perkins Brailler valued at over $600.00. Any blind or visually impaired resident of Missouri is eligible to enter.

Entries shall be postmarked no later than July 31, 2009. The winner will be announced at the MCB 2009 annual convention. The winner will be invited to attend the convention and read their winning entry to the entire convention.  All expenses will be paid for the winner to attend.

Entries should be mailed to the MCB office to the attention of:

Louis Braille Essay
Missouri Council of the Blind
5453 Chippewa
St. Louis, MO  63109

All decisions of the judges are final. For more information please call the MCB office at: 314-832-7172. Or email, MoBlind@MoBlind.Org

The Louis Braille essay contest is sponsored by:

The Braille Revival League of Missouri special interest affiliate
Library Users of Missouri special interest affiliate
Youth Services of MCB