Programs
Federal Quota Program
Federal funding that provides eligible students who are blind or low vision an annual allocation toward APH materials.
How it works
Federal funding for accessible learning
The Federal Quota Program provides eligible students who are blind or low vision an annual allocation of funds to spend on APH educational materials — at no cost to the student or family.
Established under the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind (1879), the program is administered by APH through a network of Ex Officio Trustees in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
Each registered student generates an allocation that their trustee draws against to order braille books, tactile tools, technology, and more.
Eligibility
Who the program serves
Eligible students
Students from birth through 12th grade (and through age 21) who meet the definition of blindness and are enrolled in an approved educational program.
Schools & agencies
Public and private schools, state schools for the blind, and approved agencies that register eligible students for the annual census.
Ex Officio Trustees
State-designated officials — and their assistants — who manage each program's allocation and place orders on students' behalf.
The journey
From registration to delivery
Four steps connect an eligible student to the materials they need.
Register the student
Schools and agencies report eligible students in the annual federal census conducted each January.
Receive an allocation
Each registered student generates an annual per-capita allocation credited to their state's quota account.
Choose quota-eligible products
Browse the catalog for products marked Federal Quota Eligible — from braille writers to Monarch.
Order through your EOT
Your Ex Officio Trustee (or their assistant) places the order against the allocation. Teachers submit requests for trustee approval.
The program at a glance
- Federal law established the program
- 1879
- Out-of-pocket cost to eligible students
- $0
- States, territories & D.C. participating
- 50+
- Eligible age range
- Birth–21
Questions
Federal Quota FAQ
Ex Officio Trustees and their assistants place orders directly against the allocation. Teachers build orders and submit them to their designated trustee for approval.
Ready to use your allocation?
Find your trustee or start browsing the products your students can receive through Federal Quota.