APH Federal Quota Account

MCB / APH Federal Quota Account

What is the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Federal Quota Account?

In 1879 the "Act to Promote the Education of the Blind" was passed. By this Federal Act, Congress created a permanent annual appropriation for the specific purpose of "manufacturing and furnishing books and other materials specially adapted for instruction" of blind students in the United States and its Territories.

The Act and its resulting programs administered through the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) place the most appropriate educational aids, tools, and supplies in the hands and lives of each eligible person with blindness. The system through which these specialized materials are distributed is known as the Federal Quota Program. Through it, aids are provided free to eligible individuals with blindness in educational and rehabilitation settings.

Today, APH manufactures an extensive inventory of commercially-unavailable educational aids, tools, and supplies which address the specific learning and rehabilitation needs that a vision loss creates. Materials available through the APH Federal Quota Program can be found in the APH Products Catalog:

APH Products and APH Parts Catalogs PDF versions
APH Online Catalog
Request an APH Product Catalog be mailed to you! Please click and scroll down to the online form.

MCB/APH Brochure:

MCB/APH Pre-Registration:

MCB/APH Consent:

APH Order Forms
(for individuals currently registered with the MCB/DDS Federal Quota Account)

APH Product

Eligibility requirements for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) APH Federal Quota Program:

Be registered with MCB, and over the age of 18 and/or out of High School.
Have had an eye exam within the past 3 years and can provide the name, address, and phone number of the eye care provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist). An APH Medical Eye Report form will be sent to the eye care provider to verify Legal Blindness.

Have received a minimum of 20 hours of documented instruction per week for 12 weeks in the preceding calendar year from a rehabilitation or educational program; and be registered in the current calendar year to receive the same (a minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week for twelve weeks).
Regarding the minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week for 12 weeks:
- The 12 weeks do not need to be consecutive:
  - Although social and leisure programs do not qualify as instruction, practice to develop skills can be used toward instructional hours.
- Acceptable Documented Instruction include:
  - Day Habilitation Support Plan (DHSP)
  - Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
- Rehabilitative Programs include:
  - Adult Day Health Program
  - Community Based Day Program
  - Mobile Day Services (for adults who do not attend a rehabilitative program, but who have a service plan with instructional and rehabilitation goals).

Getting Started with APH and Next Steps

Step 1:
Review all eligibility criteria as listed on the Pre-Registration and Consent Form (fillable PDF) or above.

Step 2:
Complete and submit the Pre-Registration and Consent Form (fillable PDF).

Step 3:
During the “Open Registration” period, all individuals newly eligible will be added to the APH Account.

The open registration period occurs November through mid-February of each year.
Also, during this time, an email will be sent to inquire if each person currently on the account remains eligible.

Step 5:
Orders can be placed throughout the APH Account Year (October 1 - September 30). Email reminders for orders will be sent to each individual on the account throughout the year.

Step 4:
Individuals newly added to the APH Account can begin ordering on October 1 of the year they were added to the Account. An email reminder will be mailed when ordering can begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a person become registered with MCB?

An individual’s eye care provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist) must complete and send a Mandatory Report of Legal Blindness to MCB. For more information please visit the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Blindness Registry.

How can an eligible adult register with the APH Federal Quota Program?

Registration is easy by asking an individual's DDS Service Coordinator or MCB Case Manager to completely fill out the Pre-registration form for the MCB/APH Federal Quota Account and email to: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov

When is the APH Federal Quota Account enrollment period open?

Each adult meeting the APH Federal Quota Account eligibility requirements is invited to submit an APH registration form at any time during the year. The official yearly “open registration period” is from November until mid-February. Adults registered by mid-February each year can begin ordering on October 1st.

How does the APH Federal Quota Program work?

Once registered, MCB APH Federal Quota Account Ordering Information will be provided along with the yearly Federal Quota amount. Ordering Information will include directions for obtaining a paper catalog or viewing online. Each year, eligibility for every adult on the MCB APH Federal Quota Account will be reviewed.

When can APH Federal Quota orders be placed?

The yearly ordering period is Oct. 1st through Sept. 30th (the Federal fiscal year). Orders can be placed at any time during this period.

What items can be obtained through the APH Federal Quota Account?

Materials featured in the APH Products Catalog can be obtained. Exceptions include:

Items with the description “Not available with QUOTA funds”.
Items not listed in the APH Products Catalog, and/or from non-APH catalogs.
Check our APH Activity Ideas page for ordering ideas and suggested use.

The MCB APH account is for Adults, is there an APH Account for Children in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) holds an APH Federal Quota Account for students enrolled in school up to age 22 through the Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Library. Please visit the AIM Library website or call 781-562-0461. For information on other APH accounts in Massachusetts, please visit the APH website.

Information for students with Legal Blindness who are transitioning from School to DDS Adult Services in Massachusetts:

If a student is transitioning into adult services and has previously been on the DESE APH Account through the AIM Library, a transfer to the MCB APH (adult) account is not automatic. A new MCB APH registration form must be completed and sent to Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov .
Prior account eligibility on the DESE APH Account is not needed for a young adult to be found eligible for the MCB (adult) APH Account.

Questions?

Please contact: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
Lisa DiBonaventura, M.A., COMS
Statewide Director for Vision and Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services