The Arizona Council of the Blind (AzCB) has established the Blindness Related Intervention Expense Fund (BRIEF), which will enable people who are blind to become more independent or productive members of the community with an improved quality of life. The BRIEF program is designed to provide a one-time grant not to exceed $1,000.00 for Assistive Technology (AT) to residents of Arizona who are legally blind.

Assistive technology is defined as any device or piece of equipment that enables people to maintain or improve their functioning at home, school, work or play. This includes both devices and services.

Assistive technology includes mechanical, electronic, and computer-based equipment, non-mechanical or non-electric aid, or specialized instructional materials. The types of AT devices and services covered under this grant program include but are not limited to:

  • Daily Living Aids – devices for use in daily activities such as eating, dressing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning, etc.
  • Computer Applications – devices, which assist a person in using a computer, such as, keyboard adaptations and special software to assist in learning.
  • Vision Aids – devices such as large print computer screens, eyeglasses and other low-tech aids, text magnifiers and other reading devices.
  • Communication Aids – devices such as scanners with speech synthesizers.

The BRIEF grant applications are accepted and disbursed three (3) times per year. Applications are due by January 1, May 1, and September 1 for disbursements paid to the vendor or provider of services in February, June, and October.

Grant applications will only be considered for the grant period for which they are received. Notification of grant awards will be made within the published grant period. All award recipients are selected at the sole discretion of the Arizona Council of the Blind board of directors.

The Arizona Council of the Blind holds no right or title to the supplies provided and is not responsible for any cost beyond the granted amount. If the actual costs of goods provided to the grant recipient are less than the grant amount, the Arizona Council of the Blind shall retain any unused portion.

To be considered for the BRIEF funds, submit the following information to no later than the application due date noted above:

1A completed grant application

2Statement of what is the expected outcome (goal) from the purchase of the device or service

3Detailed description of the device or services needed to achieve the stated goal and how these will be used to achieve the goal

4Documentation regarding the cost of goods and/or services. (Documentation should include such information as price quotes, price lists, invoices, etc.)

5Point of Contact to verify legal blindness as defined by the following:

Legally blind means central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens or a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

Personal Information

Applicant Name: (Last name, First):
Name of person completing application (if other than applicant): / Relationship:: .
Address Line 1: .
Address Line 2:
City: . / State: / Zip Code: .
Applicant Telephone Number:
Email Address:

Grant Information

How did you hear about the BRIEF Fund?
If awarded funds, do you grant full permission to the Arizona Council of the Blind to use either your photograph and name (if necessary) or your child’s photograph and name (if necessary) in any publication or advertising materials (printed or electronic). / Yes No
Your vision is?
Name of person who can verify status: / Sighted Visually Impaired Legally Blind
Have you worked with a VRT, AT vendor or had a low vision evaluation in the last year? / Yes No
If yes, please describe:
Provide a statement of your goal or outcome if awarded funds:
Describe the type of device or service you require to achieve your goal:
Provide a detailed statement on how the device or service will help you achieve goal or outcome:
Provide make, model, price, vendor information, website or contact information for desired device or service:

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ARIZONA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND BE LIABLE TO RECIPIENT FOR ANY LOSS, OR INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR THE BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT.