The student competes in one of five categories. This category is for former or current print readers who began to learn and use Braille within the past two years. Students in ungraded programs should select the category which most closely matches the grade level of their peers. All winners receive a cash prize, a special certificate, and a distinctive NFB Braille Readers Are Leaders T-shirt. Students who place fourth and fifth in each category will receive Honorable Mention recognition and a special T-shirt.
All contestants receive a Braille certificate and a ribbon for participating in the contest.
Awards are also given to the ten contestants, regardless of category, who demonstrate the most improvement over their performance in the previous year's contest. Are Leaders Contest or any previous one. Schools are encouraged to schedule public presentations of the certificates. Alternatively, presentations may be made in the classroom, at the local National Federation of the Blind chapter meeting, or in some other appropriate setting. Members of the National Federation of the Blind will award the certificates and other prizes whenever possible.