The Federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind was enacted by Congress in 1879. It provides adapted educational materials to eligible students. An annual registration of eligible students determines a per capita amount of money designated for the purchase of educational materials produced by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). These funds are credited to Federal Quota accounts which are maintained and administered by APH and its Ex Officio Trustees throughout the country.
Students with a qualifying visual impairment can apply for APH Quota Funds. This national funding goes toward materials that the educational agency can order through the American Printing House for the Blind. There are three groups of students who qualify:
Birth to age 3
Preschool to Grade 12
Adult
Any student in a public, private or homeschool setting is eligible for this service. Families who believe they qualify should reach out to Amanda Aaron at amandaa@mdschblind.org for more information.
There is no chronological age limit for eligibility. In order to be eligible for registration in the Federal Quota Program, students and adults must meet the following requirements:
Meet the Definition of Blindness (MDB): a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting glasses or a peripheral field so contracted that the widest diameter of such field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees,
-or-
Function at the Definition of Blindness (FDB) which is visual performance reduced by brain injury or dysfunction when visual function meets the definition of blindness as determined by an eye care specialist or neurologist.
OR
“IF NEITHER are met, students may also be eligible because they: Qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) definition of blindness: an impairment in vision, that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance (34 CFR §300.8(c)(13)).*” (Letter from APH CEO Craig Meader on December 4, 2023)
-and-
Be enrolled in a formally organized educational program of less than college level. School-aged students must be enrolled with the registering school or agency on the first Monday in January. Adult students must be registered for at least three months of instruction during the preceding calendar year (an accumulation of 12 weeks).
Reach out to Maryland APH Ex Officio Trustee Diane Colburn at dcolburn@mdschblind.org with any questions.