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=**Making it Happen! Resources for Implementing Accessible Instructional Materials and NIMAS**= 2008 Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Annual Conference: February 1, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM


 * Joy Zabala (Moderator)** AIM Consortium, CAST
 * Bonnie Jones** OSEP, US Dept of Education
 * Skip** **Stahl** //NIMAS// //Development Center////, CAST//
 * Vicki** **Hershman** PATINS State Project, Indiana
 * Kirk Behnke** Texas Assistive Technology Network, Region 4 ESC

**Overview:**
The promise of timely delivery of core instructional materials in specialized formats to students who require them is significant, but making it happen can be quite a challenge! In this session information about current and emerging resources that can be used to support selection, acquisition, and use of accessible instructional materials will be shared by leaders with complementary perspectives and responsibilities.

**Learning outcomes:**
Participants in this session will:


 * 1) Identify challenges to timely provision of specialized formats
 * 2) Receive information about resources that support effective implementation of Section 300.172 of the Final Regulations of IDEA 2004
 * 3) Learn about current implementation initiatives

**National Resources** :
[|http://nimas.cast.org] Two national centers were awarded to the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) by the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These centers were established to further the development and implementation of NIMAS. The NIMAS Web site at CAST is a rich resource of information.
 * NIMAS Development Center and NIMAS Technical Assistance Center**

http://aim.cast.org/ This is a brand new site and CAST expects to be adding to this content within the next couple of weeks (Feb., 2008)
 * CAST Accessible Instructional Materials**

http://idea.ed.gov/
 * US Department of Education**

 **“Accessible Textbooks in the Classroom: An Educator's Guide to the Acquisition of Alternate Format Core Learning Materials for Pre-K–12 Students with Print Disabilities”** http://nimas.cast.org/about/resources/accessible_textbooks.html#solutions_etext This article, prepared by CAST in cooperation with OSEP, provides an excellent overview regarding the provision of accessible instructional materials and solutions.

[|http://www.nimac.us] IDEA 2004 mandated the establishment of the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) as a national repository for publishers’ electronic files of textbooks and core related instructional materials in the NIMAS file format. The NIMAC has been established by the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH) in Louisville, Kentucky. The NIMAC is a repository for textbooks and core related instructional materials in the standard file format for students with print disabilities as specified under IDEA 2004. Each state specifies authorized users that will be able to download the files. The NIMAS file format is not student ready or ready for student use.
 * National Instructional Materials Access Center** (**NIMAC)**

http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cdynamic%2CTopicalArea%2C10%2C The US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs’ (OSEP), developed a Web site with resources and information to assist state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing IDEA 2004. One of the major topics addressed is NIMAS.
 * Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004, NIMAS Topic Page**

http://www.nichcy.org/training/contents.asp#NIMAS Module 8: NIMAS, part of the //Building the Legacy: A// //Training// //Curriculum on IDEA 2004,// was developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) at the request of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The NIMAS training module was created in cooperation with the NIMAS Development Center and OSEP. The module includes PowerPoint presentation, discussion (training notes) and handouts.
 * NICHCY, IDEA 2004 Training Module 8: NIMAS**

http://www.idealindiana.com/ideal/partners/patins/nimas.php/ IDEAL has created a freely available NIMAS 2006 podcast consisting of 9 segments addressing an overview of NIMAS, related statute and regulations and copyright protection information, and other topics relating to accessible materials and the NIMAS.
 * Indiana Designs Equitable Access for Learning (IDEAL)**

http://www.cited.org/ Visit the CITEd webinar archives to hear the presentation. http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=126#NIMAS2 The webinar is presented by Chuck Hitchcock, M.Ed. Chief Officer of Policy & Technology, CAST; and Ruth Ziolkowski, MBA, President of Don Johnston, Inc.
 * CITEd**

**State Resources:**
http://www.ataporg.org/
 * Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs**

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/imet/ For additional information on Braille, large print and audiotape formats, click on Forms and Downloads http://www.tea.state.tx.us/imet/
 * Texas Education Agency, Instructional Materials and Educational Technology Division**


 * NIMAS Quick Reference Page, Texas Assistive Technology Network**
 * http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=resources.aim****

Legal References Related to Assistive Technology, Texas Assistive Technology Network http://www.texasat.net/docs/Legal%20Ref_IDEA2004%20Feb%202007.pdf** This document provides the language and citations relevant to assistive technology and accessible instructional materials.

http://www.icam.k12.in.us/icamv2/ Collaborative effort between the PATINS Project, The Indiana Education Resource Center and the Indiana Department of Education/Division of Exceptional Learners.
 * Indiana Center for Accessible Materials**

http://www.patinsproject.com/
 * Guidelines and Resources on NIMAS, Indiana PATINS Project**

**Resources for Audio books:**
http://www.rfbd.org/ Audiotapes of the State of Texas adopted texts can be obtained from RFB&D. There is no membership fee for school districts in the State of Texas.
 * RFB&D**

[|http://www.bookshare.org] The organization provides a collection of electronic digital books and the software to read those books to US school districts. There is no fee for membership.
 * Bookshare**