Department of Education

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

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

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

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

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

Activity:

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Appropriations Language

For carrying out the Act of March 3, 1879, as amended, $24,456,000. (Department of 

Education Appropriations Act, 2014.)
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Appropriation, Adjustments and Transfers 

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2013 2014 2015

Discretionary:

Discretionar y Appropriation............................................................. $24,505 $24,456 $24,456

Discretionar y Across-the-reduction (P.L. 113-6).............................. -49 0 0

Total, discretionary appropriation ........................ 24,456 0 0

Discretionar y Sequester (P.L. 112-25)............................................ -1,233 0 0

Total, adjusted discretionary appropriation .......... 23,223 0 0
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Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity

2014

Authorized

2014

Estimate

2015

Authorized

2015

Request

American Printing House for the Blind

(20 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) Indefinite $24,456 Indefinite $24,456

Total definite authorization 0 0

Total appropriation 24,456 24,456
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Appropriations History 

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance Footnote

Senate 

Allowance Footnote Appropriation Footnote

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 23,223

2014 24,505 N/A824,4563 24,456

2015 24,456

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 House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action. 
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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 2015 Authorization: Indefinite

Budget Authority:

2014 2015 Change 

$24,456 $24,456 0

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.

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 
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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 2013, APH had 205 Federal Quota accounts administered by 142 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 APH 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 by the Federal Government for educational materials in fiscal year 2013

represented approximately 72 percent of the Printing House's total sales income of 

$30.4 million. Total funding provided through the APH appropriation represented approximately 

85 percent of APH’s total budget of $31.1 million. Federal grants and contracts from agencies 

such as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s Talking Book

program represented another 12 percent of APH's total budget for fiscal year 2013. 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. 

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

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

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

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

2013 ..................................................................................... 23,223

2014 ............................................................ .2......................... 24,456
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FY 2015 BUDGET REQUEST

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

House for the Blind in fiscal year 2015. The request would maintain funding for APH at the 

fiscal year 2014 appropriation level. APH provides crucial educational aids at no cost to 

students who are blind and visually impaired. The materials developed, manufactured, and 

distributed by the Printing House offer States an additional resource to assist them with 

providing free appropriate public education to visually impaired students, as required by the 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Federal support of the APH also helps 

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 Administration 

believes the request provides sufficient resources to support an adequate level of service in 

each of the three program areas: educational materials, advisory services, and research.

Educational Materials. The Administration’s request includes $18.5 million for educational 

materials, the same as the fiscal year 2014 level. Excluding non-quota funds from the Braille 

Improvement Project, the requested funding level provides an estimated $305 per eligible 

student, the same level in fiscal year 2014. Materials produced by APH include 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 

2013, 947 distinct educational products were available for purchase with Federal quota funds. 

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, each year APH 

produces thousands of braille and large print textbooks on demand, including instructional 

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 deliver quickly custom-produced accessible textbooks in an 

assortment of media formats.

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

2015, the same as the fiscal year 2014 level. 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 ex-officio 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, in-service 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 
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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, low-cost manner.

Projects that would continue to be funded in fiscal year 2015 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 Web site 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 2015.

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

2015 is $4.5 million, the same amount allocated for research in fiscal year 2014. 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 pedestrianfocused navigation system for visually impaired students. The refreshable braille display is an 

electronic tool that enables blind students to access independently 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 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 350 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. 
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Product development activities planned for fiscal year 2015 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 

and 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 assessmentrelated 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. 

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures: 2013 2014 2015

Distribution of funding:

1

Educational materials $17,723 $18,456 $18,456

Advisory services 1,500 1,550 1,550

Educational and technical research 4,000 4,450 4,450

Total 23,223 24,456 24,456

Number of eligible students 59,621 60,393 60,393

Average per student allotment (whole dollars) 2$293 $305 $305

Number of Services and products provided:

Products available with Federal funds 978 979 979

Advisory committee meetings 5 5 5

State educational agencies visited 18 12 12

Residential programs visited 12 10 9

Rehabilitation programs visited 7 7 8

In-service training programs and webcasts 31 33 30

Product training presentations and exhibits 126 125 120

 

1

 Figures for FY 2013 are actual data; FYs 2014 and 2015 are the best available estimates. For comparison 

purposes, the figures displayed reflect the original allocation of the appropriation and do not include subsequent 

reallocations of unused funds. Amounts displayed for FY 2013 do not include unused prior year funds of $359,696 from 

Educational Materials, $307,845 of which was unused in FY 2013 and reallocated to FY 2014. Funds were reallocated 

from FY 2012 to 2013, which resulted in an additional $6.04 per student in FY 2013. In addition, in FY 2013, APH 

reallocated $235,000 from Research and $10,000 from Advisory Services to Educational Materials, which resulted in an 

additional $4.11 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, which is 

shown under Educational Materials. $350,000 of funding in 2015 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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Measures: 2013 2014 2015

Visits to Ex Officio Trustees 20 15 15

Total employees (full-time equiv.) 297 300 300

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 

the resources provided in previous years, those requested in fiscal year 2015 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

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 99 56 39 6 0 0

2014 98

2015 98
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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

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 100 100 57 43 0 0 0

2014 100

2015 100

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

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 98 50 43 6 2 0

2014 96

2015 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

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 98 53 40 6 1 0

2014 97

2015 97
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Additional Information: APH gathered the data for these measures by administering an online 

survey to 402 respondents during fiscal year 2013. 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 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 APH 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 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

2010 15% 35%

2011 15 27

2012 22 31

2013 22 45

2014 22

2015 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 2013, the Printing House significantly exceeded the established target level. 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 indicate 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.
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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

2010 4 4.7

2011 4 4.6

2012 4 4.5

2013 4 5.0

2014 4

2015 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 

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 2013, the panel’s average rating 

continued to exceed the “meets criteria” rating and increased from 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. 

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

2010 4 4.3

2011 4 4.2

2012 4 4.3

2013 4 4.4

2014 4

2015 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; 
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(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 2013 the average rating exceeded the “meets criteria” rating and increased slightly

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

provided panel members during the 2013 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.

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

2010 4 5.0

2011 4 4.7

2012 4 4.4

2013 4 5.2

2014 4

2015 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 2013, the average of the scores exceeded the targeted “meets criteria” rating, 

as compared to prior year levels. 

Efficiency Measures

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

measures for the Federal program at APH. 
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Measure: The cost (in cents) per page to produce color large type textbooks.

Year Target Actual

2010 13.3¢ 9.9¢

2011 13.0 9.4

2012 10.8 8.1

2013 10.8 9.3

2014 10.8

2015 10.8

Additional Information: Although the cost per page in fiscal year 2013 increased by 

14.8 percent it was still well below the target. APH printed 9.9 million pages of color, large print 

type textbooks at a total cost of $1.5 million in 2013. 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 2012, the pages of color large type textbooks produced 

decreased by 18.1 percent and production expenses decreased by 2.6 percent in fiscal year 

2013, yielding an increase 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 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 2013 to be maintained subsequent years.

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

Year Target Actual

2010 8.7¢ 10.4¢

2011 8.5 10.5

2012 10.9 10.6

2013 11.0 15.2

2014 11.0

2015 11.0

Additional Information: In fiscal year 2013, the cost per page significantly increased 

compared to previous years. For fiscal year 2013, the total number of pages produced 

decreased by 1 million or 13.3 percent from the previous year. In addition, the total production 

cost increased by $19,000, or 1.7 percent. As a result, the cost per page increased and the 

2013 target was not met. APH expects demand for braille materials will remain steady during 

the next few years. 

Other Performance Information

The Department conducted a 2-day on-site monitoring visit to APH on June 10 -11, 2013. The 

purpose of the visit was to examine APH’s compliance with applicable requirements, its use of

annual Federal appropriations “to manufacture and furnish books and other materials especially 

adapted for instruction of students who are blind,” as authorized by the Act to Promote the 
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Education of the Blind of March 3, 1879 (Act), 20 U.S.C. §§ 101-106a, review the quality of 

GPRA and other program data, and the performance of selected programs. 

Topics covered during the on-site monitoring visit, included inquiries into the link between APH’s 

Strategic Plan: 2012-2014, the proposed use of Federal funds for Resources with Enhanced 

Accessibility for Learning Plan (the REAL Plan), and the usefulness of current indicators used to 

measure APH’s activities. 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 APH’s Strategic Plan: 2012-2014 has 

four objectives: (1) identification of blind and visually impaired consumers’ needs; (2) solicitation 

of ideas and development of products to meet consumer needs; (3) efficient management of 

manufacturing, marketing and distribution of products; and (4) the continuous review and 

evaluation of APH products and other products available for blind and visually impaired 

consumers.

In addition, APH reported that it created the Resources with Enhanced Accessibility for Learning 

(REAL) Plan in response to rapid transition of traditional textbooks to digital products delivered 

online, that are not accessible to students who are blind and visually impaired. APH’s REAL

Plan proposes four key strategies: (1) conversion of digital (XML-based) source files into 

multiple formats; (2) discovery tools through storage of the Louis Plus Database, Tactile Graphic 

Image Library, and APH Libraries in Amazon Cloud and Internet Archive; (3) content distribution 

through DAISY Online and partnerships with online libraries (Open Library); and (4) continuous 

improvement through ongoing feedback from the field. APH is expected to keep the 

Department fully informed of the institutions’ activities as it implements the Strategic Plan 2012-

2014 and the REAL Plan and the implications for the Federal program and Federal funding. 

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. APH is expected, within 

90 days from the date of the report, to submit to the Department a proposed new performance 

measure on the timeliness of braille textbook production. The Department issued a report of 

monitoring findings in December 2013.