TALLADEGA, Ala. (WBRC) – The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) was cited for breaking federal spending rules and failing to follow state law for at least the third year in a row, according to a new audit released by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
The audit, covering the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2025, found four reportable issues — including a material weakness in how the Talladega-based institution handles federal grant purchasing — and flagged $264,966.68 in spending from federal special education funds as “questioned costs.” Those dollars could be subject to repayment if federal officials rule the spending improper.
Federal procurement rules violated
The most serious finding involves the Special Education Cluster grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education.
Auditors said AIDB:
- Awarded three contracts totaling $188,631.68 without obtaining competitive price quotes from an adequate number of vendors
- Purchased $76,335 in visual aid equipment without bidding the purchase as required under AIDB’s own policies.
In all, the audit questioned $264,966.68 in federal spending…