Walters student wins gold medal at regional Braille Challenge

Michael Phelps has swimming. Simone Biles has gymnastics. But one thing they don’t have that Austyn Lawler, Walters, has is a gold medal in braille.

Lawler won a gold medal in the Oklahoma School for the Blind’s regional Braille Challenge in Muskogee.

According to a press release, Lawler won the medal in the Freshman Transition category. She was among 33 Oklahoma students who competed in the competition sponsored by the Braille Institute of America.

The release said contestants in the apprentice, freshman, and transition categories were tested on spelling, reading comprehension and proofreading.

The release said sophomore, junior varsity and varsity contestants were scored on charts and graphs, reading competition and proofreading. They also listened and transcribed passages into braille.

Faye Miller, Oklahoma School for the Blind’s orientation and mobility specialist, said braille literacy is essential to future successes and employment.

“The Oklahoma Braille Challenge motivates contestants to practice their braille skills because they want to win medals and improve their performances from last year,” Miller said.

Oklahoma School for the Blind is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. For more information, contact (877) 229-7136 or visit https://osb.k12.ok.us/.