Writer: Abbey Tauchen
Fewer than 10% of the 1.3 million blind people in the United States can read Braille, according to the National Federation of the Blind. But one blind Iowan can read it well — really well. In fact, he’s a national champion.
Nathan Deeds of Williamsburg was born with Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare eye disorder that severely limited his vision right from birth. He began learning Braille at age 4 and could grasp the basics by 7. He soon mastered the skill with help from his teachers and programs like Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning, offered by the National Federation of the Blind.
He continued to refine his skills as he got older, especially when faced with advanced subjects like calculus, which introduced a host of new symbols. “Even today, I still work on reading and writing faster,” he said.
Deeds’ proficiency propelled him to success in the Braille Challenge, a competition for blind or low-vision students in grades 1-12. Organized for nearly 25 years by the Braille Institute, the challenge tests students on comprehension, spelling, proofreading, and interpreting charts and graphs. “You look at a bunch of graphs, graphics and charts and answer questions about different aspects of them,” Deeds said. “It’s probably my favorite test, if I’m being honest.”
Students compete in preliminary events every January through March across the United States and Canada. The top 50 students in five age categories go to the finals in Los Angeles.
IOWA’S COMMITMENT TO BRAILLE LITERACY
The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB), based in Des Moines, has hosted a regional Braille Challenge for the last 19 years. It’s designed to “empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently,” said Karen Cunningham, a department librarian who coordinates the event. “If you are a blind person and you know Braille, you’re going to have a better chance of getting a job and being successfully employed.”
To support competitors, IDB provides practice tests, testing rooms, proctors and scorekeepers. It also covers the costs of travel, meals and hotel stays to lower barriers to participation.
Beyond the competition, IDB provides library resources in alternative formats, support groups and literally hands-on training in vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology and independent living, all in addition to Braille reading and writing.
A WINNER’S ADVICE
Deeds has competed five times in the national Braille Challenge in Los Angeles. He won the crown twice, in 2022 and 2024. It was “crazy,” he said. “It was really fun, and it’s definitely an experience I’ll value for a long time.”
Now a freshman at Creighton University in Omaha, Deeds is double majoring in accounting and business intelligence and analytics, with a minor in computer science. After graduation, he’d like to become a certified public accountant and help others along the way.
“Now my goal is to pay it forward, to help other people learn Braille and become successful in that way,” he said.
He returned to this year’s Iowa Regional Braille Challenge as a guest speaker and talked about his path to success. His advice to those learning Braille? Make it part of everyday life.
“You can do all the specific practice for the competitions you want,” he said. “But if you’re practicing something every day in different ways, then it stops feeling like practice and you’re getting so much exposure to it.”
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