The World Blind Union Asia-Pacific (WBUAP) Onkyo World Braille essay contest for people who are blind or have low vision, in the WBUAP Region is now open.
The objectives of the competition are to promote Braille literacy and encourage the reading and writing habit among people who are blind or have low vision, in the region. It is also aimed to promote cultural and social interaction among people who are blind or have low vision, in the region through their writings and encourages them to take advantage of the potential of writing as a means of earning some income.
Topics you should write about are:
- Changing what it means to be blind with Braille and mobility aids.
- How Braille and audio devices are helping me to lead a normal life.
- The challenges and solutions for a blind person aspiring to be a musician.
Terms and conditions:
Participation is open to all persons who are blind or have low vision, from the ages of 14 and above (except for Otsuki winners of the past three years and those in Japan) in the WBUAP Region under the following Terms:
Your essay must be submitted in Braille, either in your native language or in English, to your National Onkyo Selection Committee (NOSC) on or before 22 May 2013.
Computerised Braille can be accepted if your NOSC can confirm that you are Braille literate.
Send your entry c/o Jordie Howell
Adult Braille instructor
Vision Australia
346 Macaulay Road
Kensington Victoria 3031
The essay must be original, and one contestant may only submit one entry.
The competition is divided into two age categories:
Category A: People who are blind or have low vision, between the ages of 14 and 25 years.
Category B: People who are blind or have low vision, from the ages of 26 years and above.
The length of the essay should be between 700 and 1,000 words when it reaches the WBUAP Onkyo Selection Committee (WOSC) even after translation. Essays that are too short or too lengthy will be disqualified.
Please note the following information must be given or your entry will be disqualified:
- Full name (as in birth certificate, passport or legal documents).
- Age (attach a statement from someone in authority to validate the information).
- Gender (female or male) and send along an electronic photo.
- Designation (Occupation, student, homemaker, etc.)
- Contact address including email and phone.
The closing date is 22 May 2013.
Your essay, if written in your native language, must be translated into English by your national selection committee before it is emailed to the regional selection committee on or before 30 June 2013.
This Contest is limitted to a maximum of five best entries from each country. Your National Onkyo Selection Committee will select the best five entries to submit if we receive more than five entries.
Prizes
Cash prizes will be awarded to the best seven entries received from the WBUAP Region.
The Otsuki Prize: US $1,000.00 and a trophy. This overall prize is given to the best entry from either of the age groups.
Excellent Works: US $500.00 and a trophy. Two prizes will be given, one to each age group.
Fine Works: Four prizes will be given, two prizes of $200.00 each to Category A (ages from 14 to 25 years), and two prizes of $300.00 each to Category B (ages from 26 and above).
Results
The regional selection committee will meet at the end of July 2013, and the results will be forwarded to the Sponsors by September.
The regional selection committee will announce the winners immediately on receiving the approval from the Sponsors by the beginning of November 2013. The cash prizes will then be sent to the respective NOSCs for presentation to the winners.