Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) – Braille Training Program Grants

    Note:  Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information.

    For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768),or at www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf.

     Purposeof Program:  The Braille Training program offers financial assistance to projects that will provide training in the use of braille for personnel providing vocational rehabilitation services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind, develop braille training materials, develop methods used to teach braille, and develop activities used to promote the knowledge and use of braille and non visual access technology for youth and adults who are blind.  The absolute and invitational priorities align with the Secretary’s supplemental priorities to encourage applicants to meet the unique needs of students and children with disabilities by ensuring coursework,books, or other materials are accessible to children or students who are blind;promoting science, technology, engineering,or math (STEM) education by ensuring braille instructors are able to teach mathematical and scientific braille notations; working with schools,municipal libraries, or other partners to expand access to digital learning resources to a greater number of children or students who are blind; and promoting literacy through the use of braille to meet the employment and independent living needs of adults.  Further, the priorities support States in their work to raise expectations and improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities, in this case individuals who are blind, by demonstrating a commitment to high expectations for each individual with a disability and by engaging with individuals who are blind, their families, and other stakeholders through meaningful and effective collaboration.  Projects must be operated in a manner consistent with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S.Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.

     Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.235E.