The publication of Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius by National Braille Press was a huge success in promoting braille literacy to a wider audience. The promotion surrounding the book provided a springboard for launching the Touch of Genius Prize, providing the necessary exposure to inspire an innovator to continue the promotion of Braille literacy.

The Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation has solicited, and will continue to solicit, innovators in the fields of education, technology, tactile graphics, and general literacy for blind people. This is the only prize to foster and reward innovation and offers a direct and compelling incentive for researchers and teachers and the like to support literacy efforts among blind people.

The Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is provided through support from The Gibney Family Foundation. The Gibney Family Foundation supports non-profit organizations that are dedicated to assisting the blind and those who are otherwise challenged.