Legal Definitions - APH

APH stands for the American Printing House for the Blind.

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is a non-profit organization, established by an Act of Congress in 1858, dedicated to creating and providing accessible educational materials, products, and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. It serves as a national resource, primarily supporting students and educators across the United States by developing and distributing specialized learning tools, textbooks, and assistive technology.

Here are some examples of how the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) operates:

• Example 1: School District Procurement

  A public school district is preparing for the new academic year and needs to acquire a complete set of braille textbooks for a new student who is visually impaired. The district's special education department would likely place an order with APH, as it is a primary national supplier of such specialized educational materials, ensuring the student receives the necessary accessible learning resources.

  This example illustrates APH's fundamental role in providing essential educational materials, like braille textbooks, directly to schools to support the learning needs of students with visual impairments.

• Example 2: Development of Assistive Technology

  A team of educators and engineers is collaborating to design a new interactive educational game that teaches foundational math concepts through audio and tactile feedback for young children with visual impairments. They might partner with or seek funding from APH, which often supports the research, development, and distribution of innovative assistive technology and learning aids tailored for this population.

  This demonstrates APH's commitment to advancing accessible education through the development and dissemination of new assistive technologies and educational tools that cater specifically to the learning styles of visually impaired individuals.

• Example 3: Professional Development for Educators

  A teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) is looking for professional development workshops or online courses to learn about the latest methods for teaching tactile graphics or using new screen reader software. APH frequently offers training programs, webinars, and publishes resources for educators, helping them enhance their skills and stay current with best practices in educating visually impaired students.

  This example highlights APH's broader impact beyond just materials, showcasing its role in supporting the professional growth of educators who work with visually impaired students, thereby improving the quality of education provided.