Department of Education

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations Language ......................................................................................................L-1

Appropriation Adjustments and Transfers .............................................................................L-2

Authorizing Legislation..........................................................................................................L-3

Appropriations History...........................................................................................................L-4

Activity:

American Printing House for the Blind.............................................................................L-5
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Appropriations Language

For carrying out the Act of March 3, 1879, as amended, $24,505,000. 

NOTE

A full-year 2013 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, 

this account is operating under a continuing resolution (PL. 112-175). The amounts included for 2013 reflect the 

annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.
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Appropriation Adjustments and Transfers 

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2012 2013 2014

Discretionary:

Discretionar y Appropriation .......................................................... $24,551 $24,505 $24,505

Discretionar y Across-the board reduction (P.L. 112-74)............... -46

Discretionar y Across-the board increase (P.L. 112-175).............. ______ +150 ______

Total, adjusted discretionary appropriation......... 24,505 24,655 24,505
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Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity

2013

Authorized

2013

Estimate

2014

Authorized

2014

Request

American Printing House for the Blind

(20 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) Indefinite $24,505 Indefinite $24,505

Total definite authorization 0 0

Total appropriation 24,505 24,505

Total appropriation including 0.612 percent ATB 24,655
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Appropriations History 

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance Footnote

Senate 

Allowance Foot

-

note AppropriationFoot

-

note

2005 $16,403 $17,000 $17,000 $16,864

2006 16,864 17,000 18,500 17,573

2007 17,573 N/A1 N/A1 17,573

2008 17,573 17,573 22,000 21,616

2009 21,616 22,6972 22,5002 22,599

2010 22,599 22,599 24,6003 24,600

2011 24,600 24,6004 24,6003 24,6005

2012 24,600 24,5516 24,5516 24,505

2013 24,505 24,5057 24,5057 24,6558

2014 24,655

1 This account operated under a full-year continuing resolution (P.L. 110-5). House and Senate allowance 

amounts are shown as N/A (Not Available) because neither body passed a separate appropriations bill. 2 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2009 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 110th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 3

 The levels for the Senate allowance reflect Committee action only. 4

 The levels for the House allowance reflect the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 5

 The level for appropriation reflects the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 

(P.L. 112-10). 6

 The level for the House allowance reflects an introduced bill and the level for the Senate allowance reflects 

Senate Committee action only. 7

 The level for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2013 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 112th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 8

 The amount shown includes the 0.612 percent across-the-board increase provided by P.L. 112-175, in effect 

through March 27, 2013. 
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American Printing House for the Blind

(Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, 20 U.S.C. 101 et seq.)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2014 Authorization: Indefinite

Budget Authority:

2012 2013 2014

Change 

from 2012

$24,505 $24,5051 $24,505 0

_________________

1 Excludes 0.612 percent across-the-board increase provided in P.L. 112-175.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Act to Promote the Education of the Blind authorizes an annual appropriation for the 

American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to produce and distribute educational materials 

adapted for students who are legally blind and enrolled in formal educational programs below 

the college level. The Printing House, located in Louisville, Kentucky, has received Federal 

support under this Act since 1879. Materials produced by APH include textbooks in braille and 

large type, educational tools such as braille typewriters and computer software and hardware, 

teaching aides, including tests and performance assessments, and other special supplies. The 

materials are distributed, through allotments of funds to the States, to programs serving 

students who are blind. The allotments are based on an annual census conducted by APH of 

the number of students who are legally blind in each State and are provided in the form of 

credits. State educational agencies and programs serving persons who are blind may order 

materials free of charge up to the amount of funds allocated to each State for educational 

materials. Approximately 75 percent of the appropriation is used to cover the cost of operations 

to produce these materials. The Printing House uses the remainder of the appropriated funds to 

conduct research related to developing and improving products and to provide advisory services 

to professionals and consumer organizations on the availability and use of materials produced 

by APH.

The Printing House conducts research necessary to develop and improve educational materials 

in core curriculum areas such as science, mathematics, English language arts, and social 

studies and adapts testing materials related to these subject areas. In addition, APH 

undertakes research in product areas specific to the visually impaired population, such as braille 

reading, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology. Special materials are also developed 

for use in teaching students who are blind and have additional disabilities and in areas such as 

early intervention and early childhood education, prevocational training, and the functional use 

of residual vision.
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Educational and Advisory Services are provided to consumers primarily through three 

departments: Field Services, Communications, and Resource Services. Examples of advisory 

services include administration of the Student Registration System, Louis Database of 

Accessible Materials, Electronic File Repository, and Expert Database; National Instructional 

Partnership activities; and production of catalogs, brochures, videos, and a wide variety of webbased information. APH also convenes expert advisory committees and focus groups to 

address specific issues, as necessary.

As of October 2012, APH had 205 Federal Quota accounts administered by 145 ex officio 

trustees who represent State educational agencies, schools for the blind, rehabilitation 

programs, and other agencies responsible for the education of blind students in each State. 

The Quota accounts consist of funds from the appropriation in the form of credits that are 

allocated on the basis of the annual census of blind students to the ex officio trustees. Trustees 

may use the credits to order materials from APH. These materials are available for purchase by 

the trustees and the general public at http://shop.aph.org. The ex officio trustees are 

responsible for the administration of the Federal accounts in each State. Items to be produced 

and distributed by APH are reviewed by a six-member Educational Products Advisory 

Committee. The purpose of this committee, made up of ex officio trustees, is to ensure that all 

educational materials produced and research undertaken by APH are effectively focused on 

meeting the needs of students who are blind. In addition, a second five-member advisory 

committee of ex officio trustees, the Educational Services Advisory Committee, provides 

oversight and accountability regarding APH’s outreach and support services. 

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the States are required to provide a 

free appropriate public education, including appropriate related materials and supplies, to all 

students with disabilities. Materials provided through this appropriation supplement the various 

other resources available to the States to achieve this goal. In order to meet their 

responsibilities under the IDEA, many States make additional purchases from APH and other 

suppliers of materials for students who are visually impaired. 

Funding provided through the Act for educational materials in fiscal year 2012 represented 

approximately 70 percent of the Printing House's total sales income of $23.6 million. Total 

funding provided through the Act represented approximately 86 percent of its total budget of 

$28.5 million. Federal grants and contracts from agencies such as the National Library Service 

for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s Talking Book program represented about another 

10 percent of APH's total budget for fiscal year 2012. The remaining portion of APH’s budget 

came from nongovernmental contracts and revenue from unsubsidized product sales to State 

and local agencies, direct sales to individuals who are blind, private sector contract sales, 

corporate and individual donations from the private sector, and interest income from 

endowments and other investments. 
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Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2009 ................................................................................... $22,599

2010 ..................................................................................... 24,600

2011 ..................................................................................... 24,551

2012 ..................................................................................... 24,505

2013 ..................................................................................... 24,5051

_________________

1 Excludes 0.612 percent across-the-board increase provided in P.L. 112-175.

FY 2014 BUDGET REQUEST

The Administration requests $24.5 million for activities to be conducted by the American Printing 

House for the Blind (APH) in fiscal year 2014. The request would maintain funding for APH at 

the fiscal year 2012 level. Over the past 10 fiscal years, from 2003 to 2012, funding for this 

program increased by $10.5 million, or 75 percent. However, during the same years, the 

number of students estimated to be served by APH increased by only 2,831 or 5 percent. In 

light of these trends, the Administration believes the request provides sufficient resources to 

support a robust level of service in each of the three program areas: educational materials, 

advisory services, and research.

Educational Materials. The Administration’s request includes $18.2 million for educational 

materials, a decrease of $0.1 million in funding for this area compared to fiscal year 2012. This 

budget area is decreasing slightly because APH plans to devote marginally more of its 

resources to advisory services and research. Excluding non-quota funds from the Braille 

Improvement Project, which is discussed in further detail below, the requested funding level 

provides an estimated $298 per eligible student, a slight decrease from $303 per student

available in fiscal year 2012. The per student allotment would decrease because of the small 

decrease in the resources for educational materials and a slight increase in the number of 

students eligible to receive educational materials produced and distributed by APH. Materials 

produced by APH include textbooks in braille, large type, and audio recording formats; 

educational aides such as braille typewriters, raised (tactile) graphics, and computer software 

and hardware; teaching tools such as tests and performance measures; and other special 

supplies. APH manufactures these instructional materials for a broad range of academic 

subjects and grade levels. In fiscal year 2012, 955 distinct educational products were available 

for purchase with Federal quota funds. The materials produced and sold by the Printing House

offer States an additional resource to assist them with providing a free appropriate public 

education, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and to ensure 

that students who are visually impaired receive the accessible educational materials they need 

to succeed in school and prepare for college and careers.

The timely delivery of textbooks in accessible media formats for braille-reading students is 

crucial to ensuring that children who are blind have the same access to a free appropriate public 

education as children without disabilities. In order to address this need, APH produces 

thousands of braille and large print textbooks each year on demand, including instructional 
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materials featuring tactile graphics. APH issues industry standards for tactile graphics, 

manufactures and distributes graphics to students across the country, and maintains a Tactile 

Graphic Image Library in order to increase the variety and lower the cost of pictures and 

graphics included in accessible educational materials. Tactile graphics are particularly essential

for teaching subjects such as geography and geometry. The funds requested for educational 

materials support APH’s production of teaching modules and associated instructional materials

in these subjects. The request also includes $1.5 million for the Accessible Textbook Initiative. 

The goal of the Initiative is to quickly deliver custom-produced accessible textbooks in an 

assortment of media formats.

Advisory Services. The Administration requests $1.6 million for advisory services for fiscal year 

2014. This amount is slightly more than the amount for fiscal year 2012. Advisory Services 

include a variety of activities that support the administration of the educational materials 

program area by the ex-officio trustees. These funds provide for the annual meeting of the exofficio trustees, advisory group panels, the annual census of students who are blind, printing 

and distribution of catalogs of available materials, and field services such as consultation, inservice training, webinars, and workshops. Staff in the advisory services area provide ongoing 

consumer information and technical support to customers and establish and maintain 

communication with APH’s network of ex-officio trustees. APH also provides support and 

information to staff and teachers at schools around the country. In order to maximize the 

availability of its training and technical assistance activities, APH frequently conducts training 

through the internet. These web-based training sessions have given the Printing House the 

ability to reach a wide audience of those who want information and training in an efficient, lowcost manner.

Projects that would continue to be funded in fiscal year 2014 include the National Instructional 

Partnerships program, webcast product training series, APH Research Library, APH Web Site, 

Accessible Media Producers Database, and National Instructional Partnership with Teacher 

Training Programs. The APH website offers the public convenient on-line ordering of products, 

manuals and directions for using products, downloadable catalogs and newsletters, information 

on training events, online surveys, and online reference services such as the Louis Accessible 

Materials Database and APH file repository. In recent years, APH has integrated these unique

databases and online tools to make them cross-searchable, user-friendly, and comprehensive 

sources of specialized information and resources on accessible instructional materials for the 

blind and visually impaired. The request provides sufficient funds to cover all advisory services 

activities the Printing House plans to conduct in fiscal year 2014.

Research & Product Development. The Administration’s request for research in fiscal year 

2014 is $4.7 million, which is $0.1 million above the amount allocated for research in fiscal year 

2012 due to increased investments in several product development projects. APH undertakes 

applied and developmental research with the goal of developing innovative educational products 

for students who are blind or have low-vision. Major research initiatives include developing a 

full-page refreshable braille/tactile graphic display and a pedestrian-focused navigation system 

for visually impaired students. The refreshable braille display is an electronic tool that enables 

blind students to independently access information provided through text, charts, and pictorially

presented data. The navigation system will utilize global positioning system (GPS) technology 

and other technologies to facilitate outdoor and indoor independent travel. These new products 

will represent major improvements over existing tools. APH is also increasingly investing in 
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developing the file formats, software, hardware, and production infrastructure necessary to 

produce and deliver braille books through electronic files and e-readers rather than through 

paper books. 

The Administration recognizes the need for APH to conduct developmental and applied 

research, so that it can continue to meet the changing needs of students who are blind and 

visually impaired, particularly as the technologies for producing accessible educational materials

evolve rapidly. The request will provide funds for APH to conduct over 150 research projects in 

a wide range of content areas, including development of new products for use with infants,

toddlers, and preschoolers who are visually impaired, materials for students who are visually 

impaired with secondary disabilities, equipment to assist students with low vision, materials for 

braille literacy, classroom learning aids, tactile graphics, and tools to aid in the transition from 

school to postsecondary educational or job settings.

Two examples of products recently developed by APH are the Building on Patterns program

and the VisioBook. Building on Patterns is a complete primary literacy program designed to 

teach beginning braille users reading, writing, and spelling through a package of lessons, 

practice activities, and assessments. The VisioBook is a portable electronic magnifier and 

distance viewing tool for students of all ages who still have some sight. Students use this 

product to magnify the pages of books, read writing on a chalkboard from a distance, and in 

many other situations when magnification is needed to access educational content. 

Product development activities planned for fiscal year 2014 are categorized into eleven content 

areas: Adult Life, Braille, Core Curriculum, Cortical Visual Impairment, Early Childhood, 

Emergent Literacy, Low Vision, Multiple Disabilities, Tactile Graphics, Technology, and Tests & 

Assessments. The request includes funding for APH’s Accessible Tests Department. The 

goals of this initiative are to:

• Provide tests, practice tests, examination administration manuals, and other 

assessment-related materials, including full-color large print assessments, in high quality 

accessible media in a timely manner.

• Promote the inclusion of blind and visually impaired individuals during the development 

of assessments.

• Enhance the test performance of blind and visually impaired individuals through 

research, education, and communication. 
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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures: 2012 2013 2014

Distribution of funding:

1

Educational materials $18,371 $18,371 $18,234

Advisory services 1,500 1,500 1,549

Educational and technical research 4,634 4,634 4,722

Total 24,505 24,505 24,505

Number of eligible students 59,193 59,400 60,000

Average per student allotment (whole dollars) 2 $306 $303 $298

Services and products provided:

Products available with Federal funds 955 963 970

Advisory committee meetings 5 5 5

State educational agencies visited 13 12 12

Residential programs visited 8 10 10

Rehabilitation programs visited 6 5 7

In-service training programs & webcasts 27 30 33

Product training presentations & exhibits 125 125 125

Visits to Ex Officio Trustees 12 13 15

Total employees (full-time equiv.) 300 300 300

________________

NOTE: 2013 excludes 0.612 percent across-the-board increase provided in P.L. 112-175. 

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program performance information, for example, GPRA goals, 

objectives, measures, performance targets, and an assessment of the progress made toward 

achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on the cumulative effect of 

 1

 The figures for fiscal years 2012 are actual data. The figures for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 are the best 

available estimates from APH. For comparison purposes, the figures displayed reflect the original allocation of the 

appropriation and do not include subsequent reallocations of unused funds. The amounts displayed for fiscal year 

2012 do not include unused funds of $123,696 from Educational Materials. These funds were reallocated from fiscal 

year 2011 to fiscal year 2012, which resulted in an additional $2.09 per student in fiscal year 2012. Within fiscal year 

2012, APH reallocated $596,000 from Research and $48,500 from Advisory Services to Educational Materials, which 

resulted in an additional $10.90 per student. 2

 Funds used for the Braille Improvement Project support planning committees, staff certification courses, focus 

groups, and team meetings/workgroups related to the improvement of braille materials produced by APH. As such, 

the project is shown under Educational Materials. However, this $350,000 of funding is not included as part of the 

calculation of the average per student allotment because it is not directly available to ex officio trustees for purchasing 

educational products for eligible students. The funds for the Accessible Textbook Initiative are included as part of the 

calculation of the per student share. 
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the resources provided in previous years, those requested in fiscal year 2014 and future years, 

as well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by this program.

The Department and the Printing House have worked together to develop 10 performance 

measures for the activities carried out through the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind. 

Four of the indicators are customer satisfaction measures. Two are efficiency measures. Four 

indicators measure aspects of product quality.

Goal: Pre-college level blind students will receive appropriate educational materials that 

result in improved educational outcomes.

Objective: Appropriate, timely, high-quality educational materials are provided to pre-college 

level blind students to allow them to benefit more fully from their educational programs.

Measure: The percentage of American Printing House for the Blind trustees, advisory 

committee members, consumers, and teachers who agree that the educational materials 

provided through the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind are appropriate, timely, and high 

quality.

Trustees - Percentage who agree:

Year Target

Actual

Extremely 

Mostly

Somewhat

Detail

Extremely 

Satisfied

Detail

Mostly 

Satisfied

Detail

Somewhat 

Satisfied

Detail

Not too 

Satisfied

Detail

Not at all 

Satisfied

2009 98 99

2010 98 100 55 41 4 0 0

2011 98 99 59 36 4 1 0

2012 98 99 52 44 4 0 0

2013 98

2014 98

Advisory Committee Members - Percentage who agree:

Year Target

Actual

Extremely 

Mostly

Somewhat

Detail

Extremely 

Satisfied

Detail

Mostly 

Satisfied

Detail

Somewhat 

Satisfied

Detail

Not too 

Satisfied

Detail

Not at all 

Satisfied

2009 100 98

2010 100 100 66 31 3 0 0

2011 100 100 67 33 9 0 0

2012 100 100 60 37 3 0 0

2013 100

2014 100
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Consumers - Percentage who agree:

Year Target

Actual

Extremely 

Mostly

Somewhat

Detail

Extremely 

Satisfied

Detail

Mostly 

Satisfied

Detail

Somewhat 

Satisfied

Detail

Not too 

Satisfied

Detail

Not at all 

Satisfied

2009 96 99

2010 96 98 49 43 6 2 0

2011 96 100 56 35 9 0 0

2012 96 98 58 34 6 2 0

2013 96

2014 96

Teachers - Percentage who agree:

Year Target

Actual

Extremely 

Mostly

Somewhat

Detail

Extremely 

Satisfied

Detail

Mostly 

Satisfied

Detail

Somewhat 

Satisfied

Detail

Not too 

Satisfied

Detail

Not at all 

Satisfied

2009 97 98

2010 97 98 52 40 6 2 0

2011 97 99 56 38 5 1 0

2012 97 98 54 38 6 1 1

2013 97

2014 97

Additional Information: APH gathered the data for these measures by administering an online 

survey to 397 respondents during fiscal year 2012, an increase of 63 respondents over 2011. 

An external research firm assisted with the design of the survey. Respondents rated their 

satisfaction on a 5-point rating scale with the following range: (1) Not at all satisfied, (2) Not too 

satisfied, (3) Somewhat satisfied, (4) Mostly satisfied, and (5) Extremely Satisfied. The 

percentages shown above for each measure are composed of the respondents from each group

that were “Extremely satisfied”, “Mostly satisfied”, or “Somewhat satisfied” with all three 

dimensions of product satisfaction (quality, timeliness, and appropriateness for targeted 

audience). 

The Department believes that a survey instrument is an appropriate vehicle to obtain data on 

consumer satisfaction with products, including whether the educational materials provided 

through the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind are appropriate to the consumer’s needs, 

delivered in a timely manner, and of high quality. However, the same survey is not appropriate

for measuring outcomes, such as whether blind students benefit more fully from their 

educational programs because of these products. A rigorous evaluation would be necessary to 

determine whether students are making progress and the extent to which that progress is 
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attributable to the availability of these materials. Therefore, in fiscal year 2010 the Department 

revised these measures to exclude what was formerly the last phrase of the measures (“...and 

allow blind students to benefit more fully from their educational programs”). The rest of the text 

of these measures remains unchanged. 

Objective: To improve the quality of APH research and increase product usefulness

Measure: The percentage of APH product sales revenue that is from new products.

Year Target Actual

2009 15 27

2010 15 35

2011 15 27

2012 22 31

2013 22

2014 22

Additional Information: This measure was developed to help determine the efficacy of new 

products developed by APH. The purpose of the measure is to evaluate the reaction of 

consumers to new products created by the research department, which is determined by 

measuring the extent to which sales of new products surpass a minimum level of products sold. 

In fiscal year 2012, the Printing House exceeded the established target level. The targets 

represent a sustainable level of new product sales that should be achieved to ensure that the 

products developed by APH reflect consumer needs. APH established targets for the next 

several years based upon product development trends and an analysis of the average 

percentage that sales of new products represented of all APH product sales from 2005 to 2011. 

Actual data from recent years indicated that new products tend to be more technologically 

advanced, and therefore more expensive than older products. As a result, the percentage of 

sales revenue from newer products has consistently exceeded targets.

Measure: The average rating, according to approved criteria on relevance, for a sample of new 

American Printing House for the Blind products evaluated by an independent panel of qualified 

experts or individuals with appropriate expertise related to the target audience.

Year Target Actual

2009 4.2

2010 4 4.7

2011 4 4.6

2012 4 4.5

2013 4

2014 4

Additional Information: To determine the average relevance rating, a panel of experts, who 

are proposed by APH and approved by the Department, reviews a random sample of new 
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products developed each year by the Printing House to assess whether: (1) there is evidence of 

need for the product; (2) there is evidence that APH sought the opinions of knowledgeable 

individuals on the need for the product; (3) APH made the decision to produce the product 

based on a standardized process for product selection; (4) the product addresses an identified 

need for individuals who are visually impaired; and (5) the product is fully accessible for the 

intended population. The products are rated using a 7-point rating scale, where 1 equals “does 

not meet criteria, 4 equals “meets criteria,” and 7 equals “exceeds criteria.” The average of the 

scores is the number reported in the actual column. In fiscal 2012, the panel’s average rating 

continued to exceed the “meets criteria” rating but decreased slightly as compared to the prior 

year. The small variations in the average score from year to year may reflect the changing 

composition of the expert review panel and the sample of the products rated. We expect to 

obtain fiscal year 2013 data in October 2013. 

Measure: The average rating, according to approved criteria on quality of research, for a 

sample of new American Printing House for the Blind products evaluated by an independent 

panel of qualified experts or individuals with appropriate expertise related to the target audience. 

Year Target Actual

2009 3.7

2010 4 4.3

2011 4 4.2

2012 4 4.3

2013 4

2014 4

Additional Information: The panel of experts annually reviews a random sample of new 

products developed each year by APH to assess whether: (1) appropriate research 

methodologies are being used consistent with the type of product being developed; (2) sufficient 

supporting information and evidence is collected by research data methods; (3) data are 

gathered from a geographically diverse U.S. population and a variety of potential user groups; 

(4) evaluation data are gathered from appropriately qualified individuals; (5) research data are 

gathered from an adequate number of sources; (6) development demonstrates use of fieldreviewed data for modification to the product prior to final development; and (7) data are 

gathered on student and consumer outcomes related to the use of the proposed product. The 

products are rated using a 7-point rating scale, where 1 equals “does not meet criteria, 4 equals 

“meets criteria,” and 7 equals “exceeds criteria.” The mean of the scores is the number 

reported. 

In fiscal year 2012 the average rating exceeded the “meets criteria” rating and increased from 

the prior year. In response to concerns expressed by panel members in prior years, APH 

provided panel members during the 2012 rating process with more specific information about 

the research supporting each sampled product. However, panel members continued to express 

the need for additional research and data to determine if product development took account of 

all relevant research. Data for fiscal year 2013 will be available in October 2013.
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Measure: The average rating, according to approved criteria on utility, for a sample of new 

American Printing House for the Blind products evaluated by an independent panel of qualified 

experts or individuals with appropriate expertise related to the target audience. 

Year Target Actual

2009 4.4

2010 4 5.0

2011 4 4.7

2012 4 4.4

2013 4

2014 4

Additional Information: For this measure, a panel of experts annually reviews a random 

sample of new products developed by APH to assess whether: (1) sales of the new products 

indicate demand; (2) new product indicators, such as field evaluations and other feedback, 

substantiate that the new product is meeting a need; and (3) the products are considered highly 

useful for individuals with visual impairments. The products are rated using a 7-point rating 

scale, where 1 equals “does not meet criteria, 4 equals “meets criteria,” and 7 equals “exceeds 

criteria.” In fiscal 2012, the average of the scores decreased but still exceeded the targeted 

“meets criteria” rating, indicating that the utility of APH products is generally acceptable. The 

Department expects to receive new data for this measure in October 2013.

Efficiency Measures

The Department worked closely with the Printing House to develop appropriate efficiency 

measures for the Federal program at APH. 

Measure: The cost (in cents) per page to produce color large type textbooks.

Year Target Actual

2009 13.63 11.5

2010 13.34 9.9

2011 13.05 9.4

2012 10.8 8.1

2013 10.8

2014 10.8

Additional Information: The cost per page in fiscal year 2012 decreased by 14 percent and 

was well below the target. APH printed 12,100,000 pages of color large print type textbooks at 

a total cost of $1,569,000. A number of factors affect the cost per page, including the costs of 

raw materials and equipment, demand for products, and efficiency of operations. Compared to 

fiscal year 2011, the pages of color large type textbooks produced increased by 11.6 percent

and production expenses decreased by 3.9 percent in fiscal year 2012, yielding a significant 

decrease in cost per page. APH anticipates reduced demand for color large type textbooks in 

future years as a result of schools beginning to offer digital books on tablet computers and other 
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electronic devices. The projected reduction in the volume of production of color large type 

textbooks will increase unit costs. To reflect both the reductions in production costs APH has 

already achieved and the projected decline in demand, the Department previously established a 

new target for fiscal year 2012 to be maintained subsequent years. The Department anticipates

receiving data for fiscal year 2013 in October 2013.

Measure: The cost (in cents) per page to produce braille textbooks.

Year Target Actual

2009 8.93 10.3

2010 8.74 10.4

2011 8.55 10.5

2012 10.5 10.6

2013 10.5

2014 10.5

Additional Information: In fiscal year 2012, the cost per page marginally increased and

slightly exceeded the target. APH noted the numbers of braille pages produced, based on 

consumer demand, are not directly under the Printing House’s control, but affect the cost per 

page. APH expects demand for braille materials will remain steady during the next few years. 

Data for fiscal year 2013 will be available in October 2013.

Other Performance Information

The Department’s most recent on-site monitoring visit to APH was conducted on May 25, 2011. 

The purpose of the visit was to examine compliance with applicable requirements, the use of 

Federal funds, the quality of GPRA and other program data, and the performance of selected 

programs. This included inquiries into the role of Federal funds in APH’s Leaders to Leaders 

Program, the responsibilities of APH’s Ex Officio Trustees, and the activities and results of the 

Braille Improvement Project. The review was conducted as part of the ongoing monitoring and 

evaluation of APH programs and administrative operations funded by the annual Federal 

appropriation. 

During the on-site monitoring visit, APH reported that the Ex Officio Trustees, in accordance 

with the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, are responsible for authenticating the results 

of the annual census of the number of students who are blind and visually impaired, confirming 

that books and materials are fairly distributed, providing advice on product development, and

administering the Act within their respective States. We identified small amounts of unallowable 

costs stemming from the use of Federal funds for advocacy activities conducted by the Leaders 

to Leaders Initiative. In response, APH made corrective accounting adjustments and the 

Department provided guidance on the use of funds for advocacy, public relations, and 

advertising. 

In addition, APH reported that the Braille Improvement Project has streamlined the production of 

textbooks (braille, large print, and electronic textbook files) by centralizing all new textbook 

orders through its Accessible Textbook Department, expanding the pool of certified transcribers 

through hiring and training additional staff, and developing specifications for braille and large 
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

American Printing House for the Blind

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print to ensure consistency in production. 

A review of APH’s GPRA data highlighted the need for new performance targets for many of the 

measures. APH agreed to propose new targets for Department review based on an 

examination of production trends and possible further improvements. The new targets cover 

fiscal years 2012 to 2016. APH also reported that it had simplified its customer satisfaction 

survey to focus on the questions needed to collect GPRA data. The Department issued a report 

of monitoring findings in September 2011. The next monitoring visit is scheduled for June 2013.