The GIMC manages the distribution of Federal Quota Funds from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) for eligible K-12 students who are blind. APH federal quota funds are based on a federal law called the "Act to Promote the Education of the Blind."
Through this act, eligible students who meet the definition of blindness can
receive adapted educational materials from the American Printing House for the
Blind.
Registration with the GIMC is reciprocal with registration for APH and
Bookshare.
Criteria for Eligibility and Registration
Public School Students
-
Student is legally blind (documentation required)
- Enrolled in public school on the first Monday in January
If your child is in public school, the school will have registered your child with the GIMC. You do not need to register your child again.
Public schools will sometimes confirm private school and home school
registrants if they have previously attended public school and are aware of
placement.
If you do not want your child to be registered, please contact your local
school district.
Private School Students
Home School Students
- Student is legally blind (documentation required)
- Participates in home school program on first Monday in January
- Verification (must include intent to home school with designated curriculum)
Registration
If your child meets the eligibility
requirements listed for private or home school, you may register your
child by clicking on "Registration" under Resources on the right side of the
page.
APH Fund Allocation and Ordering
Fund Allocation
Every year you can buy adapted educational materials from APH through the GIMC for your child. The U.S. Congress makes an annual appropriation for the provision of the special Federal
Quota materials for blind students. This appropriation is divided by the total number of eligible students in educational programs on the first Monday of the preceding January of the Federal fiscal year starting October 1st. This enables home and private schooled students the availability to spend up to the funds distributed per student per year. For example, if the per-student allocation is $200 per student per year, each eligible student is able to purchase $200 worth of materials from APH through the GIMC.
Ordering
You can order adapted educational materials for your child from the American
Printing House for the Blind (APH) through the GIMC. To see what is available from APH, click on the APH "Online Catalog" on the right side of this page.
You will receive confirmation from the GIMC and a login and password will be sent to you to access the online ordering system. You can order the material you found in the APH catalog by clicking on the "Online Ordering/Registration and Account Management tab on the left side of this page. The material that you purchase
will be sent directly to the mailing address listed in our system.
