Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Braille Training Program Grants CFDA Number 84.235E | ED GRANTS 053019 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 053019 001

The U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and its Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), offered the Braille Training Program Grants under CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 84.235E. This is a discretionary grant competition designed to strengthen braille instruction and access for people who are blind, with a particular focus on improving the skills and capacity of the professionals who serve them in vocational rehabilitation and educational settings. The core idea is to fund projects that expand high-quality braille training, improve how braille is taught, and promote wider awareness and use of braille alongside nonvisual access technology.

The purpose of the program is practical and workforce-oriented. Grant funds are meant to support training in braille for personnel who provide vocational rehabilitation services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind. In addition to direct training, the program supports the development of braille training materials, the creation or refinement of instructional methods used to teach braille, and outreach or promotional activities that encourage broader knowledge and use of braille and nonvisual access technology. In other words, the program is not just about producing materials; it is also about building instructor capacity, improving teaching practice, and increasing adoption so that braille literacy can better support education, employment, and independent living outcomes.

The notice highlights that the competition priorities (both absolute and invitational) were aligned with the Secretary of Education supplemental priorities connected to meeting the unique needs of students and children with disabilities. Several emphasis areas are called out. One is ensuring that coursework, books, and other instructional materials are accessible to children and students who are blind. Another is promoting STEM education by ensuring braille instructors can teach mathematical and scientific braille notations, which is a specific capability needed for students to fully participate in math and science coursework. The opportunity also encourages partnerships with schools, municipal libraries, and other community entities to expand access to digital learning resources for a larger number of blind students. Finally, the program stresses adult literacy and the role of braille in supporting employment and independent living, reflecting RSA's broader mission of improving vocational and life outcomes.

The opportunity also frames these activities in terms of systems change and expectations. It explicitly connects the priorities to helping states raise expectations and improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities, in this case individuals who are blind. It emphasizes meaningful and effective collaboration with individuals who are blind, their families, and other stakeholders, signaling that strong applications would be expected to show engagement with the communities served rather than operating in isolation. Like other federal education grants, funded projects must be run in a manner consistent with nondiscrimination requirements grounded in the U.S. Constitution and federal civil rights laws.

From an administrative standpoint, the competition was listed as ED GRANTS 053019 001, with applications made available on May 30, 2019 and a deadline for transmittal of applications of July 1, 2019. The award ceiling was $115,000, and the Department anticipated making about three awards. Eligible applicants were broad and included many types of public entities and nonprofits: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations that are not institutions of higher education); and other applicants as described in the official notice's additional eligibility language.

To support applicants, OSERS indicated it would provide pre-recorded informational webinars (posted no later than June 4, 2019) and a pre-application Q and A blog where applicants could ask questions about application requirements (opened no later than June 4, 2019 and kept open until June 18, 2019). The point of contact listed for further information was Theresa DeVaughn at the U.S. Department of Education. The summary repeatedly notes that the Federal Register notice is the authoritative source for full details, including eligibility nuances, priorities, required application components, submission instructions (including the Department's Common Instructions for Discretionary Grant Programs), performance measures, and other compliance requirements.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Braille Training Program Grants CFDA Number 84.235E" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.235.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 30, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 01, 2019 Applications Available May 30, 2019. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications July 1, 2019. Pre-Application Webinar Information No later than June 4, 2019, OSERS will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/new-rsa-grants.html. Pre-Application Q amp A Blog No later than June 4, 2019, OSERS will open a blog where interested applicants may post questions about the application requirements for this competition and where OSERS will post answers to the questions received. OSERS will not respond to questions unrelated to the application requirements for this competition. The blog will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/new-rsa-grants.html and will remain open until June 18, 2019. After the blog closes, applicants should direct questions to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Theresa DeVaughn, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5062A, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone (202) 245-7321. Email theresa.devaughn@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $115,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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