Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Parent Information and Training Programs: Braille Training Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.235E

Background
The Braille Training program offers financial assistance to projects that will (1) provide training in the use of braille for personnel providing vocational rehabilitation (VR) services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind; (2) develop braille training materials; (3) develop methods used to teach braille; and (4) develop activities used to promote the knowledge and use of braille and nonvisual access technology for youth and adults who are blind.
The program partners with States and public nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, to provide information, material, equipment, and training in braille instruction. The support provided by the program will increase the knowledge and skills of personnel providing VR services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind.

Grant Details
The Braille Training Program includes one absolute priority and three invitational priorities. The absolute priority is the Braille Training Program which provides grants for the establishment or continuation of projects that provide development of braille training materials, in-service or pre-service training in the use of braille, the importance of braille literacy, and methods of teaching braille to youth and adults who are blind, as well as activities to promote knowledge and use of braille and nonvisual access technology for blind youth and adults through a program of training, demonstration, and evaluation conducted with leadership of experienced blind individuals.
The invitational priorities include projects designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in resources for underserved students and adults who are blind, increase the number and proportion of experienced and effective braille educators from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds or communities they serve, as well as design and deliver instruction to individuals who are blind that effectively integrate innovative technology.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include States, public or nonprofit agencies, organizations, including institutions of higher education. Cost sharing or matching is not required. There is no program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. A grantee may not award subgrants but may contract for supplies, equipment, and other services.

Period of Performance
The project period is up to 60 months.

Grant Value
$342,000 is estimated available funds with an estimated average size of awards being $115,000 for Year 1 and $230,000 for Years 2–5. The maximum award is $115,000 for Year 1 with a total estimated number of awards being 3.