Latest news with #BrailleChallenge
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lafayette first grader named 2025 Braille Challenge national finalist
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — A Woodvale Elementary first grader has been named a finalist for the 2025 Braille Challenge. On LPSS Special Education's Facebook page, it was announced first grader, Emerson, whose last name was not disclosed, will be heading to Los Angeles, California this summer to compete in the challenge. Back in March, Emerson and his classmates took part in a statewide Braille Challenge, a competition open to visually impaired students in grades first through 12th. This test challenges student's braille reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading and more. In the post, LPSS Special Education page expressed how proud they are in Emerson's achievement and are looking forward to the opportunity Los Angeles has in store for him. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'Emerson's hard work, determination, and talent have truly shined, and we couldn't be more proud. Congratulations, Emerson—Los Angeles, here you come!' the post said. Trump extends 'olive branch' to Iran with stern warning Trump blames Biden policies in Saudi address Sunset man charged with operating clandestine drug lab; other drug related charges Trump to roll back US sanctions on Syria Judge gives IRS green light to share migrants' taxpayer information with ICE Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
St. Landry Parish animal control officer charged with theft, malfeasance in office
OPELOUSAS, La. () — A St. Landry Parish animal control officer is accused of stealing a saddle during the course of his duties, authorities said. Khayri Kossette Thomas, 27, of Lawtell, is charged with misdemeanor theft and malfeasance in office, a felony. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office was notified May 9 of a theft in the 800 block of Mulberry Road in Opelousas. The responding officer was told that a St. Landry Parish Animal Control Officer had stolen a saddle from the property when they were on scene to seize animals, officials said. The patrol deputy conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Thomas, an employee of Parish Animal Control, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'It is regrettable that agents entrusted to enforce regulations violate the law, but we will investigate every complaint and occurrence to ensure that the integrity of every element of government remain beyond reproach,' Guidroz said. Bond details were not released. Judge gives IRS green light to share migrants' taxpayer information with ICE First grader named 2025 Braille Challenge finalists Inflation rose in April, reversing March decline Republican tax bill would add $3.7 trillion to the national deficit: JCT City of Scott closed Tuesday morning to honor longtime Mayor Hazel Myers Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Scott closed Tuesday morning to honor longtime Mayor Hazel Myers
SCOTT, La. () — City offices in Scott are closed this morning to honor longtime Mayor Hazel Myers, who died May 10 at the age of 89. Myers served as Mayor of Scott for 22 years, from 1988-2010. The city office will be closed from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to allow workers to attend her funeral services, according to a post on . 'Today, our community mourns the loss of a true pioneer, trailblazer, and beloved leader —former Mayor Hazel Myers — who has gained her heavenly wings,' the post read. 'Mayor Myers was more than a public servant; she was a visionary force who shattered ceilings and opened doors for women in leadership, especially in our community. Her dedication, grace, and strength set an example for generations to come. She led with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to service.' Services will be held today at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, and entombment will take place in Sts. Peter and Paul Mausoleum. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Judge gives IRS green light to share migrants' taxpayer information with ICE First grader named 2025 Braille Challenge finalists Inflation rose in April, reversing March decline Republican tax bill would add $3.7 trillion to the national deficit: JCT City of Scott closed Tuesday morning to honor longtime Mayor Hazel Myers Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dept. for Blind celebrates 100 years aiding blind and low vision Iowans
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department for the Blind is celebrating 100 years on Wednesday by inviting the public to learn more about their services. The Iowa Commission for the Blind was first established by the state on April 2, 1925. In the 1980s, it was renamed the Iowa Department for the Blind. Their agency is located in downtown Des Moines and has called the same building home since the 1960s. However, Chief Information Officer, Connie Mendenhall, says many Iowans don't know about their department or the work they do. 'We no longer want to be the best-kept secret in Iowa, so we want everyone to come in the doors and see what we do here,' she said. While Mendenhall now works for the department, she first started as a client. 'I lost my sight about almost exactly 10 years ago,' she said. 'I've worked in the insurance industry in Des Moines from the time I was 18. All of a sudden, your world shifts and changes.' Smoke still impacting Otley after Monday fire Their mission is to empower blind and low vision Iowans. During the 2024 calendar year, the department helped approximately 6,000 Iowans ranging all age groups. 'Blindness should never be a reason for a person's life to stop. Blindness should never be a reason a person cannot live independently, achieve their goals, become whatever they want to become, and live their best life independently, empowered, and successful,' said Mendenhall. Downtown Des Moines residents and visitors may recall seeing low vision Iowans walking the streets of downtown with their white canes. This is part of the Iowa Blindness Independent and Empowerment Center, where the department offers classes teaching folks how to live independently. Mendenhall said clients work with teachers to develop adaptive skills that can help them in day-to-day life, even if their world changes. For example, clients may start college or move to a new city, but the skills they learn at the department can be transferred to other places. The program lasts around six months. One class they offer is on reading Braille, which is a tactile writing system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers. 'I, myself, have been an avid reader my whole life and I cannot imagine a day in my life without a book,' said Mendenhall. The department is home to the The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, which provides thousands of books and other materials in alternative formats to Iowa residents who are unable to read standard print materials. Library services are available at no cost to Iowans of any age who cannot read traditional print materials because of a visual disability, physical disability, or physically based reading disability. The Department for the Blind also hosts the Braille Challenge in their downtown agency, where blind and low vision students participate in a national competition. In February, the department hosted its 25th annual regionals. Another class they provide is on home economics. Karly Prinds is a teacher in this field. She helps clients learn how to cook and feel confident in a kitchen. They teach clients how to use all types of kitchen equipment in case the client moves to a new home and has new appliances. Iowa dog gets big screen break in 'The Friend' Amanda Sesker is a client at the department who lost her eyesight in her 30s and started the program in September. 'We pretty much went into surgery, came out, and they put me in a wheelchair with no cane and sent me on my way,' she said. 'We had no idea that this place even existed.' After doing research, Sesker found the department and joined the program without hesitation. Now, she is near the end of her program and is an expert on all of the classes. 'It's given me an opportunity to be a person, an independent person, and not feel like I have to rely on other people,' she said. One of her favorite skills that she learned is cooking. Through the classes, she learned how to cook efficiently, and she can now make Thanksgiving dinner for 20 to 40 people again, like she once enjoyed doing. Clients also learn how to travel. They are taught how to use a white cane. Mason Armstrong is another client at the department. He said white canes are generally the height of a person's nose. The purpose is to extend almost a whole body's length ahead of the individual. He demonstrated that the most common way to use a white cane is the 'ten-two method.' Under this method, when a person's right foot moves forward, the cane swings to the 'ten-o'clock position,' or in front of the body to the left. Then, when a person's left foot moves forward, the cane swings to the 'two-o'clock position,' or in front of the body to the right. Many clients practice traveling with their white cane on the streets of downtown Des Moines. Another class they participate in is woodshop, where clients are taught to build any furniture or decorative piece from scratch. They use the same tools sighted people use, they just rely more on their sense of touch. 'It's not really that much different than doing it sighted,' said a client working in the woodshop class. Most of the clients can see light and shadows, but all of the classes are completed with masks over their eyes. Mendenhall says this encourages clients not to rely on lights and shadows but to instead rely on their other senses and the skills they learn in the program. The department's ultimate goal is to help clients acquire skills to find employment opportunities. 'I can do everything that I did before I lost my eyesight,' said Sesker. On the Department for the Blind's 100th anniversary, representatives for the agency are hoping to share their purpose with Iowans so everyone knows the available services. They are hosting a Centennial Celebration on Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. at their department. All members of the public are encouraged to attend. The Iowa Department for the Blind is located at 524 4th Street in Des Moines. Menace's Feilhaber, Kljestan comment on Vermes exit from Sporting KC How much rain fell overnight in Iowa Iowa dog gets big screen break in 'The Friend' Madison County Sheriff says new complaint is headed to Division of Criminal Investigation Smoke still impacting Otley after Monday fire Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blind and visually impaired students participate in ‘Cane Quest'
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — WVU's Children's Vision Rehabilitation Program and the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney hosted a 'Cane Quest' on Friday, where impaired and blind students from throughout West Virginia came to practice moving through the world using a cane. The event was a continuation of competition from Thursday when students did a 'Braille Challenge'. Both were hosted at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown with this year's events being the first hosted outside of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney. Jazzy's Hydrobikes to open permanent location, 'Jazzy's Sweet Spot' For both events, qualifying students will get to go to a National Competition sponsored by the Braille Institute in Los Angeles. Orientation and Mobility Specialist Bethanie Mateer helped organize the event and explained that the students practice navigating the world with their cane in their communities and homes, but once they become adults they are expected to be able to do it everywhere. Today's Cane Quest was a bit more practice towards that end. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
