When I wrote the original version of this post about free and low-cost government resources in the United States for blind and low vision residents back in 2017, I primarily focused on items and services I had learned about at conferences that targeted legally blind or visually impaired individuals in the DC area. I still use many of the resources shared by government agencies many years later, and was inspired to update this post after finding my currency reader inside a backpack pocket.
For individuals with visual impairments in the United States (inclusive of blind, low vision, legally blind, and/or cortical visual impairment/CVI diagnoses), there are several US government programs that can provide discounted or free access to a variety of items, including free accessible books, assistive technologies, job assistance, and even travel-related services. This also includes resources for visually impaired students, which can provide additional supports beyond what is available in schools. Here is a list of US government programs for visually impaired individuals, with information about eligibility criteria and links for additional information.
Bookshare (free for Students, $79.99/year for non-students)
While Bookshare is not technically a government service (it is a US-based nonprofit organization), Bookshare services are available for free to qualified US students through an award from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the US Department of Education. This funding covers students in K-12 schools (public, private, charter, and homeschools), post-secondary institutions, graduate programs, vocational education programs, and continuing education classes.
Bookshare provides eligible users with access to over one million accessible titles, including textbooks and educational materials. Books are available in multiple formats including audio, braille, and large text, with features like word-level highlighting and customizable reading experiences. The free Bookshare Reader app works on web browsers, smartphones, tablets, and other consumer technologies, and Bookshare files can be used with a variety of devices and software applications.
For non-students in the United States, Bookshare currently charges an annual individual membership fee of $79.99. For students, the more important point is that eligibility can often be documented through existing school disability records or National Library Service registration. Some states also offer free or discounted Bookshare memberships for non-students through state units for visual impairment or through libraries for the blind.
Related links
- Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities
- Ten Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Bookshare
- Reading Bookshare Titles With Microsoft Word
- Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility
- Accessible Summer Reading Programs For Low Vision
National Library Service/Talking Book Library (free)
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is a free braille and talking book library service administered by the Library of Congress, providing eligible readers with access to books, magazines, and music materials in audio and braille formats. NLS services are available to individuals of all ages, including students with visual impairments.
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, materials can be mailed free of charge or downloaded immediately through BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download service. BARD works on computers, smartphones, tablets, and refreshable braille displays, which makes it especially useful for students who want fast access to reading materials without waiting for shipping. Eligible patrons who need dedicated equipment can also receive NLS playback devices at no cost, although many readers choose to use personal phones, tablets, or other compatible technology.
Applications can be started online or by contacting the local network library that serves the state or region. After approval, readers can request a BARD account for immediate digital access.
Related links
- Apply for NLS Service – National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
- NLS at the Library of Congress – National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress
- History Podcasts and Audio-Based Resources For VI Students
- Accessing The News With Assistive Technology
APH Federal Quota program (free)
The APH Federal Quota Program provides funding for specialized educational materials for eligible students who are blind or have low vision. These funds can be used for braille and large-print textbooks, educational tools, and some assistive technology at no cost to the student. For high school students in particular, this program can be essential for getting accessible materials through school systems.
Eligibility generally includes students who meet the federal definition of blindness, students who function at that level because of conditions such as cortical visual impairment, and in some cases students who qualify under the educational definition of visual impairment.
The program covers students in preschool through high school, as well as some adults in vocational or rehabilitation programs. Adults age 22 and older generally must complete at least 120 hours of documented educational instruction during the previous calendar year in order to qualify. That requirement often applies to rehabilitation or vocational programs rather than traditional college enrollment, which can be confirmed by a vocational rehabilitation counselor or other visual impairment professional.
Most states manage these materials through a loan system so that items can be shared when students no longer need them. To learn more about the APH Federal Quota, research out to a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI/TSVI/TBVI), special education coordinator, or rehabilitation counselor which APH materials are already available through the local program.
Related links
- Federal Quota | American Printing House
- APH Home | American Printing House
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day
- Ten Lessons My TVI Taught Me
SOAR Disability Accommodations (free)
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free service maintained by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). JAN has been providing free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and technical assistance on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since 1983.
JAN’s Searchable Online Accommodation Resource, known as SOAR, allows users to explore accommodation ideas for both work and educational settings. Although many examples are workplace-based, the resource is still useful for students preparing for internships, part-time jobs, campus employment, or conversations with disability services offices.
JAN consultants also provide confidential guidance on accommodation questions. Reviewing examples related to screen access, accessible materials, note-taking, testing changes, or flexible technology use can make accommodation requests more specific and more effective.
Related links
- Accommodation Search (askjan.org)
- How To Come Up With Sample Accommodations
- How I Set Up My Tech Internship Desk: PM Intern With Low Vision
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
- Why You Should Register With Disability Services in College
State Assistive Technology Programs (free or low-cost)
Every U.S. state and territory operates a federally funded Assistive Technology program. These programs can be especially useful for students deciding which tools actually work before spending money or requesting technology through a school, disability office, or vocational rehabilitation plan. Most programs offer practical services such as trying devices, borrowing them for short periods, locating funding options, and connecting users with low-cost reused equipment. This includes:
- Device demonstration: Allows students to compare tools such as screen readers, magnification software, braille displays, or OCR devices before making a decision about what to request or purchase.
- Device lending: Provides short-term loans that can help with decision-making, temporary class needs, travel, or coverage while waiting for repairs or funding approval.
- State financing: Helps identify loan programs, last-resort funds, device distribution options, or other funding sources that may reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Device reuse: Connects users with refurbished or redistributed equipment, often at low cost or no cost, which can be especially important for students on a limited budget.
For more information, locate the state Assistive Technology program through the AT3 Center directory and ask about device demonstrations or short-term loans that match current school or work needs.
Related links
- AT3 Center website
- Services Provided By State Unit/State Department for Visual Impairment
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Gym Classes and Low Vision: My Personal Experiences
Vocational Rehabilitation services (free)
State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies provide services to help individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision, prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. These services are administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), part of the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
For high school students, Vocational Rehabilitation agencies often provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that can begin around age 14. These services can include job exploration, work-based learning, postsecondary planning, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy instruction. They are especially useful for students thinking about a first job, summer work, or planning for life after graduation.
For college students and young adults, Vocational Rehabilitation may support assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, career counseling, internships, job placement, and sometimes tuition-related assistance. A practical next step is to locate the state Vocational Rehabilitation agency, ask whether there is a separate blindness agency, and request information about technology evaluations or student services before a new semester or internship begins.
Each state has its own VR agency, and some states have separate agencies specifically for individuals who are blind. To find the VR agency in a specific state, visit the RSA website.
Related links
- Home | Rehabilitation Services Administration
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
- Seeing The Future: College Transition for Visual Impairment
iBill Currency Reader (free)
The iBill currency reader is a small battery-powered device that identifies U.S. paper money by speaking the denomination or signaling it through vibration. For students, it can make buying lunch, paying in cash at a store, or handling money during work or travel much easier and more private. The device is sold commercially, but eligible U.S. citizens and legal residents can receive one at no cost through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Applications can be downloaded from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the program is supported in partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Current National Library Service patrons may find the process easier because that status can help verify eligibility.
The form must be signed by a certifying authority such as a doctor, another medical professional, or a qualifying agency. Registered National Library Service patrons can indicate that status instead of submitting separate certification. The application is fillable but must be sent through the mail, and delivery may take several weeks. iBill users may also consider using currency reader apps such as EyeNote for a high-tech option.
Related links
- U.S. Currency Reader Application Form | Engraving & Printing (bep.gov)
- How To Identify Money With Low Vision
- Adapting Coin Activities: Math Problems For Low Vision
National Parks Lifetime Access Pass (free in-person, $12.50 online or mail)
The National Parks Lifetime Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or residents with a permanent disability, including many people with visual impairments. It provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites and can also reduce some amenity fees such as camping. For students interested in outdoor recreation, travel clubs, or family trips, this is a great option for recreation and leisure.
Applicants need photo identification and proof of permanent disability. Acceptable documentation can include a physician statement or records from a federal or state agency such as vocational rehabilitation, SSI, SSDI, or the VA. The disability does not need to be rated at 100 percent to qualify.
The pass can be obtained free of charge in person at many participating federal recreation sites. A physical pass can also be ordered online or by mail for a $12.50 processing fee, and some locations offer a digital pass through Recreation.gov that can be used immediately.
Related links
TSA PreCheck ($85)
TSA PreCheck is not a disability-specific benefit, but it can be especially useful for travelers who use assistive technology or find airport screening stressful or time consuming. Members can usually keep shoes, light jackets, belts, laptops, and compliant liquids in place during screening at participating airports. For students flying to college visits, conferences, internships, or family events, the time savings can be significant.
Pricing now varies by enrollment provider, with standard enrollment generally ranging from about $76.75 to $85 for five years. Children age 17 and under can often accompany an enrolled adult without a separate membership when the boarding pass is marked for PreCheck. Temporary promotions based on age or travel promotions may also be available online through travel rewards programs or through the PreCheck website.
Related links
- TSA PreCheck® | Transportation Security Administration
- How A TSA Pre-Check Helps Me As A Visually Impaired Traveler
- Airport Security and Low Vision
- Tips For Passing Time On Flights With Low Vision
USPS Free Matter for the Blind (free)
USPS Free Matter allows certain accessible materials to be mailed without postage. Eligible items can include braille, large-print materials, audio recordings, musical scores, and some equipment designed for blind or visually impaired people. For students, this can be useful when sending accessible books, classroom materials, or specialized devices between home, school, libraries, or service agencies.
Eligibility for Free Matter services includes people who are blind, people with low vision who cannot comfortably read standard print, certified National Library Service participants, and some people with other physical conditions that prevent effective use of conventional print materials. Certification from a competent authority may be required.
Packages must be labeled “Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons,” and they may not include advertising. Saving that exact wording can make it easier to prepare qualifying packages correctly when mailing accessible materials.
Related links
- What is Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons?
- Tips For Writing Letters To Visually Impaired Recipients
- Choosing Greeting Cards For Visually Impaired Recipients
- College Mailrooms and Low Vision
- Campus Deliveries: College O&M
IRS Additional Standard Deduction for Blindness (varies)
The IRS offers an additional standard deduction for taxpayers who are certified as legally blind. This additional deduction is separate from the basic standard deduction and can be claimed in addition to any additional deduction for being age 65 or older. Eligibility rules and deduction amounts can change, so the best source is the current IRS Publication 501, which is linked below.
Related links
- Topic no. 551, Standard deduction | Internal Revenue Service
- Services Provided By State Unit/State Department for Visual Impairment
Additional US government-funded resources for visually impaired students on Veroniiiica
- DCMP: Free Audio Described Videos For Classrooms
- Receiving Accessible Educational Materials With NIMAC and AIM-VA
- How I Use Accessible Voting Machines With Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Feature Phones and Landline Phones
- What I Want Congress Members To Know About Assistive Technology
- My Experience With Disability Law Center of Virginia
Published December 7, 2017. Updated May 2026