National Braille Press Awards $10,000 to Recipients as Part of Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation Program

Pictured left to right: Joni Nygard, Brian MacDonald and Dr. Betsy Flener

The nation’s leading non-profit braille publisher, National Braille Press (NBP) announced today the recipients of the organization’s annual Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation, which awards innovators for their support of literacy efforts for the blind and visually impaired. In keeping with NBP’s mission, projects submitted this year were focused on software or application development that demonstrates an aspect of tactile literacy for blind people and promotes braille literacy or access to information. The winners were recognized at a reception at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, at the 31st Annual International Technology & Persons with Disability Conference hosted by CSUN (California State University, Northridge)

This year’s grand prize of $10,000 was awarded to Dr. Betsy Flener and Joni Nygard MS, CCC-SLP for their work on the TactileTalk: Strategies for Functional Communication and Literacy for iPad, the first tactile communication and literacy system utilizing voice output to be developed for the iPad. It is a comprehensive program that teaches and reinforces tactile communication and literacy designed for blind students who have additional disabilities and for young blind students who are not yet ready for formal braille instruction or are transitioning to braille.

“We are thrilled to recognize these tremendous innovators, who are making major strides to help improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired individuals,” said Brian Mac Donald, president of National Braille Press. “Ever-changing technology means the need for ever-expanding braille literacy tools, which is why this prize is so important in helping to foster the next generation of innovators who will ensure that tactile literacy remains a priority in the digital age.”

“Every application we see demonstrates that there is continuous innovative thinking in the field of braille technology,” said Ximena Ojopi, Program Administrator for the Touch of Genius Award. “Our goal is to inspire people to keep creating new ways to empower blind and visually impaired individuals to live and exceed in today’s technologically advanced world. Dr. Flener’s and Nygard’s work is a great example of what we are looking to recognize.”

The Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is provided through support from The Gibney Family Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that are dedicated to assisting the blind and those who are otherwise challenged. The awards attract innovators from around the world in the fields of education, technology, engineering, tactile graphics, and general literacy. This is the only prize to foster and reward innovation and offers a compelling incentive for researchers and teachers to support literacy efforts for blind people.

About the award winners:

Dr. Betsy Flener received her doctorate from Vanderbilt University in 1992 with a specialization in visual impairments and multiple disabilities and is currently a low vision education specialist and assistive technology specialist for the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative. During her career, she has taught children with learning disabilities, students with cognitive impairments, and has served as a district director and coordinator of programs for students with special needs. With over 25 years of experience working with visually impaired students including serving as a regional consultant for Kentucky School for the Blind, she has presented nationally on such topics as Septo-optic Dysplasia, technology, advocacy, self-determination, keyboarding skills, the iPad for students with multiple disabilities, Response to Intervention (RtI), and literacy for students with multiple disabilities. She completed 3 popular webinars focusing on the iPad for the American Foundation for the Blind. Much of Dr. Flener's current work focuses on low cost and portable technology solutions for blind and visually impaired children and also developing communication and systems of literacy for students who have visual and complex needs.

Joni Nygard, MS, CCC-SLP, has specialized in augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) throughout her 30-year career, serving as an SLP in public schools (birth to 21); managing an AAC clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Trace Research and Development Center; and most recently developing AAC products and training materials at Attainment Company. Nygard authored Early Literacy Communication Overlays, a companion book for Early Literacy Skills Builder and co-authored TactileTalk Guidebook as well as articles in Closing The Gap publications. She also co-authored the What’s Cool About Music app. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on AAC/AT-related topics with an emphasis on literacy and communication for all students. Her passion is advocating for individuals with complex communication needs of all ages in school, medical, and community settings. Currently, Nygard is Director of Speech & Language Product Development and Director of the Aging Resources Division for Attainment Company, Verona, Wisconsin.

Applications for the 2016 Touch of Genius Prize are available at www.touchofgeniusprize.org and the deadline is January 9, 2017

ABOUT NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS
A non-profit braille publisher, National Braille Press promotes literacy for blind children through outreach programs and provides access to information by producing information in braille for blind children and adults. National Braille Press is the premier braille publisher in the US that specializes in producing original braille works written by blind authors expressly for blind people. www.nbp.org