(Note: We are passing this announcement along because we think it would be of interest to Colorado kids who are blind or low vision, their parents and teachers.)
Our country is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. In Colorado, we are also celebrating our states 150th anniversary. Heros of our past are being honored and remembered for all they have contributed. This year the Aurora Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is celebrating the accomplishments of our Blind ancestors.
The Aurora Chapter is sponsoring an essay contest for blind or low vision children in grades 6-12 enrolled in public or privates schools in Colorado to tell us about their favorite blind hero from the past and what that person meant to them. The first prize is $100. We will be accepting essays after September 1, 2026.
Teachers or educators of Blind students are encouraged to use our contest as a class assignment and/or learning tool--whether that be for learning about proper document formatting, earning extra credit for Braille assignments, or learning to perform research.
Guidelines for submission
- Essays must be 1,000 words or more, written in the student’s own words.
- The subject must be a blind person, living or dead, who lived in the United States.
- Submissions must be received no later than November 28, 2026, and students must register at the link below before submitting their essay.
- Essays can be submitted in hardcopy print, hardcopy Braille, or electronically via email.
The committee will review and select the winners to be awarded at the December 2026 gathering of the Aurora Chapter. Registration must be completed before the November 28 submission deadline through the link, NFB Aurora Chapter Essay Contest Registration. Braille and print hardcopy essays should be mailed to Peggy Chong, 14152 E Linvale Pl. 201, Aurora, CO, 80014. Email electronic submissions to chongpeggy10@gmail.com.
For more information, research ideas, accessible research sites, and how to enter, contact Peggy Chong, 14152 E. Linvale Pl., Unit 201, Aurora Colorado, 80014 or via email at chongpeggy10@gmail.com.
Winning essays may be published in publications of the National Federation of the Blind.
Essay Guidelines, Research Options, and Suggestions
The committee will be looking at the storytelling of the participant’s essay, not so much on grammar or punctuation. No AI or copy-and-paste essays will be accepted.
Stories can include thoughts about the blind ancestor, what the child learned, or the effect the blind ancestor had on the child.
The committee will expect that essays have been spell-checked before submission.
Research sites that are mostly accessible can be found online. Examples include (but are not limited to) Colorado Newspaper collections at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection or through the History Colorado Museum at https://www.historycolorado.org/search-the-collection.
Students can also call local libraries for assistance with targeted questions.
Here are some examples of some notable blind people who have made significant accomplishments in the history of blind people.
- Ted Henter – founder of Henter-Joyce, the company which developed the JAWS for Windows screen reader.
- Tim Cramner – Inventor of many high and low tech devices for the blind.
- Amy Bower – Oceanographer.
- Dr. Abraham Nemeth – developer of the Braille Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science.
- Joseph Pulitzer – Newspaper man.
- Elias Ammons – Blind Governor of Colorado.
- Ralph Teetor – Inventor of cruise control.
- Erik Weihenmayer – Colorado athlete and teacher who climbed Mt. Everest.
- Elsie Cowan – Co-Founder of the Friends of the Colorado Library for the Blind.
- Elena Zelayeta – Author, TV personality, cook, and founder of a frozen food firm.
- Don Mahoney – Children’s TV star from Texas.