Providing Individuals with Print Disabilities A Collaborative System-Wide Digital Library Service for School and Work Environments
Alternative Media Access Center
University of Georgia
331 Milledge Hall
Athens, Georgia, 30602
(Phone) 706.542.1299
(Fax) 706.583.0001
(Email)
(Web)
Accessible Symposium Handouts
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Available Formats
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Text Only Version
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Text Mostly Version
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Graphic Version
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Outline Version
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Handout Version
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Alternative Media Feasibility Study
The University of Georgia Learning Disabilities Center
2001-2005
AMAC Feasibility Study
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Equal and timely access to materials
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Duplication of materials
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Statewide alternative media production standards
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Expertise in accessible digital media, adaptive technology, and accessible information technology
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Services provided to rural and urban environments
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Cost of production
USG Enrollment of Students with Disabilities
USG Alternative Text Users
The Cost
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The estimated cost of using e-text is approximately $15 per book as compared to a cost of $125 per book using audio taping.
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The cost for one hundred students a year is estimated to be $112,500 to $187,500 as compared to an estimated e-text cost of $13,500 to $22,500 per year.
The AMAC Mission & Charge
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The Alternative Media Access Center, an initiative of the University System of Georgia, is committed to removing barriers and providing access to knowledge for individuals with print-related disabilities.
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AMAC will develop a statewide material text repository that will save institutions money by lowering expensive production costs.
AMAC Goals
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To provide comprehensive support services to individuals with print related disabilities and their service providers.
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To provide academic media in multiple accessible formats to meet the varied needs of students who have print-related disabilities.
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To facilitate the implementation of Universal Design for Learning.
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To serve as a locus of research for the further understanding of print-related disabilities, alternative media, and assistive technology
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To maximize the efforts to serve students with print-related disabilities in a cost effective manner.
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To work with private institutions, government organizations, non-profit organizations, private industry, and other agencies serving individuals with disabilities.
Advisory Committee
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Student Representation
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Georgia Board of Regents/ALT
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The Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders
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Research Universities
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Regional Universities
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State Universities
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State Colleges
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Two-Year Colleges
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Georgia Department of Education
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Department of Technical Adult Education
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Private Institutions
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Vocational Rehabilitation Services
AMAC Divisions
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IT/UDL Accessibility
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AMAC provides Instructional technology system integration, training, and technical support in the areas of accessibility and the principles of usability.
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Alternate Media Production
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AMAC provides high quality text in alternate formats in a timely manner and this is critical to the success of students with print-related disabilities.
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Adaptive Technology Evaluations and Training
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AMAC provides evaluations, software, and hardware solutions by utilizing state resources and leveraging institutional participation.
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AMAC Divisions
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Documentation Verification
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AMAC will provide documentation verification to access services
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Research
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AMAC’s tracking system will be used to monitor production costs, adaptive technologies and media use, as well as, the demographics of participating students and institutions
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AMAC will support ongoing quantitative and qualitative research focusing on the effectiveness of alternative media and assistive technologies for different learners
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Universal Design for Learning: 3 Principles
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Provide alternative formats for presenting information (multiple or transformable accessible media).
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Provide alternative means for action and expression (write, draw, speak, switch, graphic org., etc.).
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Provide alternative means for engagement (background knowledge, options, challenge, and support).
What is NIMAS?
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Background:
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The lack of accessible curriculum materials in general education classrooms
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raises barriers to learning for students with disabilities and
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limits access to the general curriculum.
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While many students lacked digital curriculum materials, many blind students wait up to 9 months for Braille.
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Without a common standard for source-file formats, the large-scale development of accurate, reliable curriculum materials in alternate formats is unlikely.
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NIMAS lang. first included in AFB Solutions Forum IMAA.
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A Short History of Accessible Textbooks
AMAC Trainings
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Annual Conference
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2007 Universal Design for Learning (UGA RCLD, CAST and AMAC)
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Training
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Student
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Alternative Media Access Training and Technical Support
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Adaptive Technology
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Mainstream Technology
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IT & Faculty Universal Design for Leaning Training
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Web accessibility and course applications
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AMAC Services
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All publisher Electronic Files (E-files) will be requested
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All materials will be scanned and cataloged in repository
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Access to AMAC NEON Database
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Access monthly service reports
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Scan copy of book
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Formatted copy of materials
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Access to RFB&D services
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Access to a copy of RFB&D’s Victor Reader Software
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Access to Premier software downloads
AMAC Services
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Access to Electronic Delivery of Course Materials
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Assistive Technology Evaluations
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Access to AMAC Assistive Technology Co-Op
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Assistive Technology Training Support
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Braille Services
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Transcription Services
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Student/Client Training and Technical Assistance
What is ?
NEON stands for New Educational Online Nexis.
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The AMAC NEON application allows Disability Service Providers to:
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Manage accounts for students receiving AMAC services.
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Order alternative media.
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Check the status of alternative media orders.
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Search the library for existing alternative media.
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Student Profile: Mark
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I am a 19 year old male with learning disabilities attending community college in Georgia. I rarely read except for the times that I am really interested in the subject matter.
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When I need to read and study textbooks, I read out loud, tape myself and play back the tape repeatedly.
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I can get by with this method but I need a more efficient means to absorb what I read.
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What can I do to stop the insanity?
Student Profile: Mark
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2nd year History Major
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RCLD Evaluation
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Dyslexic
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AT Evaluation
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AMAC Services
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Vista Profile
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Books-on-Tape
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and/or e-text
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AT Software & Training
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Accessing E-files
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The client logs onto the internet
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Accesses their email account to view their converted textbooks
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Selects a textbook & opens the assigned chapter
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Accesses assistive technology downloads
Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.
- Helen Keller
Leveraging Resources = Cost Savings
Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) Partnership
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ALT is a unit within the University System of Georgia’s Office of Information and Instructional Technology.
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ALT leads the University System and its institutions in the strategic uses of technology
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Partnership
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System-wide agreement
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Access to the State of Georgia RFB&D orders
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The capacity of move around hardware and software
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Leverage costs
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Victor Reader Software
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Downloads
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Hardware Loan Library
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Vibes
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Premier Software Download Partnership
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Complete Reading System
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E-Text Reader
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Text-To-Audio
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PDF Magic Pro
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Talking Word Processor
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Ultimate Talking Dictionary
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Universal Reader
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E-Library
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AFB Prison Braille Program
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23 Braille production programs operate in correctional facilities across the United States.
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Inmates in Braille programs work between 22 and 40 hours per week, with the average being 32.5 hours.
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$.25 to $2.50 per hour, or $29 to $120 per month. Some inmates are paid by the Braille page produced, with fees ranging from $.16 per literacy page to $.23 for specialized codes.
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Production includes Braille, tactile graphics pages, and audio tapes