edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
Touch of Genius Prize 2026
Have you developed an innovative and accessible product? National Braille Press is now accepting applications for the 2026 Louis Braille Touch of Genius Award.
The project must demonstrate some aspect of tactile literacy for blind persons and promote braille literacy or access to information. For example:
- Professional or education software and apps
- Software or apps that promote tactile & braille learning
- Braille or tactile-related hardware
Download the application and details at www.touchofgeniusprize.org or contact us at geniusprize@nbp.org.
The application deadline is January 9, 2026.
USA Goalball Teams Earn Double Bronze in Brazil
Both USA Goalball Men’s and Women's Teams traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 2025 IBSA Goalball Americas Championship. Competition was high in all games played.
After a formidable quarterfinal against Puerto Rico, the USA Men’s Goalball Team bounced back to winning ways. The women’s team secured the bronze medal against Argentina. The men’s team defeated Canada to take home third place. After a hard-fought battle, the men’s national team qualified for the 2026 IBSA America’s Championships in Hangzhou, China.
WID Honored by Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction
The World Institute on Disability has been highly commended by the prestigious Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland, for its groundbreaking work integrating accessibility into DRR, ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities — who face disproportionate risks during disasters — are included in emergency planning, mitigation, and response.
The theme for the 2025 Sasakawa Award was “Connecting science to people: democratizing access to innovation and technology for disaster resilient communities.” WID’s Artificial Intelligence Match Expediter (AIME) aligned with these priorities.
AIME, a recent initiative, embedded into the Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration’s (GADRA’s) virtual Emergency Operations Center connects disability-led organizations globally to the right disaster resources. AIME is designed to predict disaster needs and proximal disability resources, identify accessibility gaps and disability community needs, connect available resources based on data-driven insights, and build community connections essential for disaster risk reduction (DRR) for the 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
Library of Congress Honors Two National Library Service Network Libraries
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress has recognized two of its cooperating libraries for their outstanding service to readers with visual, physical or print disabilities.
The 2025 Regional Library of the Year is the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh, part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. It serves more than 15,600 patrons statewide with the help of 22 staff members and 80 volunteers. In 2024, the Pittsburgh library circulated more than a million books and other materials in print and digital formats. It produced 44 locally recorded books of regional interest meeting national quality standards and conducted 50 outreach and training events across Pennsylvania. It also provides large-print books, tactile maps and early literacy kits.
The 2025 Subregional Library of the Year is the Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille Center in Comstock Park, Mich., which serves more than 750 patrons across Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties, including Grand Rapids. The library held 30 outreach events at vendor fairs, schools, senior living facilities and other venues last year.
New from National Braille Press
If you like puzzle books, you’re in luck – there are several books available. The newest one is “Spelling Wordfinder Puzzles.” It features 100 anagram puzzles with a twist.
Over in the children’s section, the newest book is “Love” by Matt de la Pena. It comes in UEB, and is geared toward children ages 4 to 8.
June’s book of the month was “A Color of His Own,” by Leo Lionni. It’s available in UEB, geared toward preschoolers through second-graders.
Another available favorite is “The Monster at the End of This Book,” by Jon Stone. It features Grover of Sesame Street fame. The book is available in contracted UEB for ages preschool through second grade.
Also new is “That’s Not My Fire Truck,” a print-and-braille touch-and-feel board book. It’s geared toward babies through preschoolers, and comes in uncontracted braille.
August’s book of the month was “Moon! Earth’s Best Friend,” by Stacy McAnulty. It’s a print-and-braille picture book for ages preschool through first grade. This book is available in contracted UEB.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org.
Pope Francis’ Autobiography Now Available
“Hope: The Autobiography of Pope Francis” is now available in hard-copy braille and electronic BRF! Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional memoir to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope moved him to make this precious legacy available sooner.
If you would like to receive a copy, contact the Xavier Society for the Blind at info@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org, or call 1-800-637-9193 or (212) 473-7800.
Want to Learn to Play Chess? Join U.S. Blind Chess!
Do you play chess? Or are you interested in learning how to play? Come join U.S. Blind Chess!
The United States Blind Chess Association (USBCA) is the country's main grassroots network for blind and visually impaired chess players. Founded in the late 1960s, it has evolved from postal braille correspondence games to a vibrant online, email correspondence, and over-the-board community that runs year-round tournaments, publishes its own magazine, curates accessible study materials, and advocates for better digital accessibility in mainstream chess platforms. Join the email list by sending a blank message to usblindchess+subscribe@groups.io. To become member, send an email to usblindchess@outlook.com.
If you have further questions, contact Kim Morrow via email, proofreaderkim@gmail.com.
Large Print Planner/Calendars by EZ2See Products LLC
By now you may have heard of EZ2See (R) Products LLC. I am Edward Cohen, the guy behind it. I make large-print calendars and related products for daily organizing. My best-known products are large-print, weekly-style planner/calendars. This year I offer my 2026 annual and a 2025-2026 school-year version.
EZ2See Products also offers other related products, including our own no-bleed pen and bold marker. They match the mark made by the 20/20 pen and the Bold Writer 40. We also offer our yellow, sticky note pads with a bold black border. That black edge helps prevent writing off the paper and makes them stand out when used.
You can use this short version to find our website: EZ2CProducts.com. You can also find us on Amazon, eBay and retailers listed on the website.
For more information, send an email to info@preventproducts.com, or call toll-free, 1-800-234-8291.