MADISON — Two Wisconsin students have earned a place among the world’s top young Braille readers and will advance to the 2026 Braille Challenge Finals in Los Angeles, Calif., later this month after earning top scores among more than 2,000 competitors from around the world. 

Bo Bakke, a first-grade student at Evergreen Elementary School in the Holmen School District, and Mackenzie Karbash, a senior at Delavan-Darien High School, qualified for the finals after excelling in the regional Braille Challenge competition hosted by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) in February. To advance to the finals, students must rank among the top 10 competitors worldwide within their age division, making the Braille Challenge Finals one of the most prestigious competitions for students who are blind or visually impaired. 

“Congratulations to Bo and Mackenzie on this incredible accomplishment,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “Out of thousands of competitors from across the globe, they are among the very best. This achievement is a testament to their hard work and commitment. I also want to express my gratitude to their teachers and support teams. We are so proud to have them represent Wisconsin on the international stage.” 

For more than 25 years, the Braille Challenge, hosted by the Braille Institute, has celebrated and strengthened Braille literacy through academic competition. Students in grades 1-12 are tested in five core skill areas: reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading, and interpreting tactile graphics. With the addition of a competition in Kenya this year, the Braille Challenge now includes 70 regional competitions worldwide, spanning four continents. 

“This is so exciting, as well as meaningful, that the Braille Challenge is growing in size and scope,” WCBVI transition specialist and parent liaison David Ballman said. “Despite all the technology, Braille is becoming increasingly important in the lives of blind people. Developments in Braille displays, including those that can display tactile graphics, allow Braille readers to better participate in more STEM subjects and highly technical careers.” 

The WCBVI hosts the regional Braille Challenge competition each year in conjunction with its annual Braille Fest celebration, held the day before the competition. Braille Fest is dedicated to celebrating Braille literacy through games and activities for all students. 

The Regional Braille Challenge is one of several programs and events hosted through WCBVI’s Outreach Program, which serves as a statewide educational resource to benefit all Wisconsin children who are visually impaired. The program provides testing, evaluation, technical assistance, and assessment and consultation services to support students, schools and families throughout the state. Both Bakke and Karbash — and their families — have participated in programs offered through WCBVI Outreach, including the WCBVI Preschool and School Age Families and Professionals Conference. 

The 2026 Braille Challenge Finals will take place June 25-27 at the University of Southern California. Finalists and their families will participate in a weekend of competition, workshops and community events. For more information about the Braille Challenge, visit the Braille Institute’s website.  

About WCBVI 

The Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as an integral part of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, works in partnership with local education agencies and other service providers, to serve as a statewide network of professionals, resources, materials and equipment to promote quality professional practices directed toward ensuring excellence in educational programming and expanded opportunities for students who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit the WCBVI website.