NIMAC Update AFB Braille Transcriber Training Julia Myers Nicole Gaines November 28-29, 2007

What is the NIMAC? A central repository for NIMAS files. NIMAS files are source files that can be used to produce accessible, student-ready specialized formats, such as Braille and audio for students in K-12 with qualifying disabilities.

NIMAC FACTS What does the NIMAC do? The NIMAC receives and catalogs publishers' electronic files of print instructional materials in the NIMAS format. We also sign up registered users and provide the searchable web interface. OverDrive, Inc. is the vendor who is providing the database software and off- site storage for the NIMAC.

NIMAC FACTS What is NIMACs relationship to APH? Although physically located at APH, NIMAC is a separate entity and exists outside of APHs regular business operations. For this reason, we have a separate web site and telephone numbers.

NIMAC FACTS Who can sign up to get files from the NIMAC? NIMAC does not work directly with students, individual schools, teachers, or parents. A small number of Authorized Users are named in each state, such as IRCs and schools for the blind. These users will be the only persons who can download files from the NIMAC, and have them converted into student-ready formats like Braille. These users CAN assign files to accessible media producers (AMPs) registered with NIMAC to download on their behalf. Transcribers are AMPs, and can register with NIMAC.

NIMAC FACTS What kinds of materials will be in the NIMAC? NIMAS files of elementary and secondary core instructional and related print materials will be deposited in the NIMAC. No other file formats can be accepted. Remember: The NIMAS format is not student-ready. These files are not distributed directly for use in the classroom. They must be converted to the finished specialized format first. NIMAC cannot help parents or teachers who are seeking PDF, audio files or other e-book formats.

NIMAC FACTS How does NIMAC get files? States and local education agencies instruct publishers to send us files when they contract for their textbook adoptions/purchases. This is the only mechanism for us to get files. We are not authorized to require for files from publishers ourselves. Can NIMAS files be used to produce formats for any child with a disability? No, IDEA provides the definition of students who may be served. Will college students with qualifying disabilities be able to get files from NIMAC to produce accessible formats? IDEA restricts the mission of the NIMAC to serving students in elementary and secondary school.

AMPs: Registering Step One: Register Using the Online AMP Registration Step Two: Submit Limitation of Use Agreement (LUA) to NIMAC Step Three: NIMAC Activates Account

AMPs: Registering Step One: Register Using the Online AMP Registration Step Two: Submit Limitation of Use Agreement (LUA) to NIMAC Step Three: NIMAC Activates Account

Next? You will receive a copy of the LUA ed to the address you entered on the web form. Read LUA. Sign LUA at line Return to NIMAC at address provided on form. NIMAC will activate account. System will log on id and password in two separate s.

How does an AU Assign a file to an AMP? 1.First, from the search results display, click on the option Assign title to accessible media producer. 2.Select the AMP you want from the list of registered AMPs. 3.Select the format you want produced. 4.Thats it! The system will display a message that the file has been assigned to the AMPs work queue. 5.You can then select another AMP for the file, or begin a new search.

After the AU Assigns a File You will receive an message alerting you that a file has been assigned to you. Log on to NIMAC using your AMP login ID and password! You will be able to download the file from your download queue!

After an AU assigns the file... The AMP will receive an notification that the file is waiting in its work queue. Once the AMP has downloaded the file, the authorized user who assigned the file will receive an notification that the file has been downloaded. If the file has not been downloaded within 30- days, the authorized user will receive an automated courtesy notification that the file is still in the AMPs queue.

Problems with Files Determine problem IS with the file, not an issue with expectations, translation software, etc. Contact the AU who provided file with details of problem AU should contact publisher and cc NIMAC for serious issues (e.g. sections of file missing)

All Figures Correct as of November 18, 2007 NIMAC: Stats (11/18/07) Publishers: 45 States Coordinating with NIMAC: 40 Authorized Users: 55 Accessible Media Producers: 44 Files ready to download: Downloads: 659

Creating Specialized Formats from NIMAS files Where can transcribers and others go if they have questions about how to convert the files to accessible formats? For people with technical questions about the NIMAS file format, please refer to the Technical Assistance Center at CAST: The NIMAS Technical Assistance Center will work with key stakeholders such as states, school boards, and publishers to raise awareness of the benefits of accessible materials. It will also advise stakeholders on the efficient production and distribution of NIMAS- compliant materials. Questions or requests for more information should be directed to: Chuck Hitchcock Director, NIMAS Technical Assistance Center CAST, Inc. TEL x233

Louis and AMP Louis the Database of Accessible Materials for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired will continue to list availability of the specialized formats. The Accessible Media Producers Database will continue to provide information on AMPs.

APH File Repository The APH File Repository will continue to house non-NIMAS publisher files and embosser-ready Braille files for Braille production only. It is separate and distinct from the NIMAC and its mission is the same as always. Files from APH File Repository are available for downloading via Louis for registered users. For more information:

Obtaining non-NIMAS files NIMAC cannot help parents or teachers who are seeking PDF, audio files, or other e-book formats. NIMAC also cannot provide NIMAS files for testing. The Association of American Publishers maintains a list of contacts for Braille-related questions here, please contact them: ss_pages/issues_01_Access_01.htm The Association of American Publishers also provides contact information for rights and permissions for publishers and for specific imprints here: ss_pages/issues_01_Access_01.htm

Hot Topics Indemnification Update Core Print Instructional definition Advance copies Transcriber training NIMAC outreach continued

Indemnification APH and NIMAC have been working diligently to pursue a legislative solution to the need for indemnification. Language indemnifying APH has been included in S.1710, the FY2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHSE) appropriations bill. It is our strong hope that this language will be retained when the House and Senate meet to reconcile differences in their respective bills. We continue to monitor the situation and will inform you when we have news!

Core Print Instructional (C) PRINT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALSThe term 'print instructional materials' means printed textbooks and related printed core materials that are written and published primarily for use in elementary school and secondary school instruction and are required by a State educational agency or local educational agency for use by students in the classroom.

Advance Copies June 14, 2007 (Revised August 24, 2007) Effective immediately, the NIMAC wishes to advise all publishers, SEAs and LEAs that, after conferring with OSEP, NIMAC has determined that it will not accept "advance copy" file sets into the repository. "Advance copy" is to be defined as a version that is made and distributed for review purposes only, prior to a final, corrected version that will be made available for use in the classroom. "Advance copy" is not necessarily synonymous with an A printing or 1st printing as some A printings and 1st printings may be determined by the publisher to be clean enough for use in the classroom. The determination of the final, corrected version will be made by publishers. NIMAC strongly encourages SEAs and LEAs to not require publishers to provide certified NIMAS files with bid submissions. Many of these files would have "advance copy (for review purposes only) status, and these files would not be a final, corrected version for use in the classroom. Contract language that NIMAS files will be submitted to NIMAC by contract start date should be sufficient.

NIMAC Outreach Quarterly Web casts for AUs and AMPs Quarterly conferences calls for publishers Upcoming Conferences: Getting in Touch With Literacy, November 2007 NIMAS Development Committee Meeting, January 2008

How to Reach Us ( NIMAC)