The Alternate Formats Solutions Initiative (AFSI)

AAP Seminar

New York, NY

July 28, 2006

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Project Overview

• Need for files growing dramatically

• Need for a scaleable solution

• Higher Ed and K-12 are very different

• Modular Problem solving approach

• Seize low-hanging fruit

• Need for fact-based understanding of the problem(s)

• Need for collaborative effort in design and implementation

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Project Structure

• Phase 1: Define problem(s); learn from other players/contributors; suggest actions for fast impact and others for further study.

• Phase 2: Continue collaborative learning; continue developing solutions ideas; evaluate feasibility of initial recommendations; suggest additional actions for fast impact.

• Phase 3: Develop action plans for various solution components; continue working with other players/contributors based on feasibility work in Part 2.

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Higher Ed vs. K-12

• Student initiative vs. Teacher initiative

• ADA (OCR) main driver vs. IDEIA main driver

• Students buy books vs. Schools buy books

• Many titles, short production runs vs. Fewer titles, larger production runs

• Tables, charts, etc. vs. Many pictures, illustrations

• Heavy text, sometimes complex vs. Less text, usually not complex

• Frequent revisions vs. Multi-year adoptions

• Formats: Word, PDF vs. Formats: text files

• State initiatives vs. National initiative

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Disability Population – K-12

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Disability Population – H. Ed.

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Demand by ISBN (approximates #titles).

• Data set: 6,064 requests = 3,173 ISBNs

  • Average =1.91 requests per ISBN

• Distribution of demand

  • Over 60% titles requests only once

  • Over 80% requested twice or less

  • Over 95% requested five or less times

• Implications:

  • Conversion $ per request is very high. No apparent cost recovery options?

  • Repository/Clearinghouse requirements

    • Processing costs, storage space/costs

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The Process

• Define the need (by DSS & student)

• Request source file (by DSS & publisher)

• Convert source file (by Publisher and DSS (scan))

• Cleanup source file (by DSS usually)

• Enhance source file (by DSS or contractor)

• Create user file (by DSS or contractor)

• Security (by DSS)

• Deliver user file (by DSS)

• Support user? (by DSS)

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Components of a Total Solution

• Look Up Service

  • • To expedite DSS effective publisher contact

• Source File Clearinghouse (National)

  • • To expedite access to quality source files

• Normalize and Professionalize the Process

  • • Establish Best Practices, Guidelines, templates etc.

• Improve file enhancement processes

  • • For alt text, tactile graphics, human audio, math, etc.

• Promote; educate people in the trenches

  • • Publishers, DSSs, their institutions, braille transcribers, students all need better knowledge

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Clearinghouse Feasibility

• One piece of the puzzle – not a panacea

• Multiple perspectives:

  • • Operational issues (interfaces, files/metadata, formats)

    • Technology issues (hosting, delivery)

    • Economic issues (cost to build, self-sufficiency)

    • Process issues (efficient agreements etc.)

    • Legal issues (e.g. copyright, competition)

    • Political issues (e.g. state, federal)

    • Interactions (e.g. with other centers, Chafee entities)

    • Others? Wild cards!

• Study must be collaborative

  • • Players needs & concerns must be addressed

    • Players design insights & perspectives are essential

    • Players need to participate with timely feedback

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Recap

• Growing national challenge that calls for coordinated national solutions.

• Higher Ed isn’t K-12; much more complex; to mimic NIMAC/NIMAS isn’t the answer

• Major improvements are possible

• Making these improvements requires:

  • • Collaboration

    • Commitment

    • Communication

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Conclusion

• AAP’s Higher Education division has stepped up to provide the resources necessary to undertake a proactive, cooperative effort to meet the needs of students with print disabilities.

• The initial work is already bearing fruit (Look Up Service), and with AAP giving the go-ahead to study the feasibility of a national clearinghouse of publisher source files, prospects look good for substantial improvements.

• It can’t happen, however, without the input and support of the DSS community, their institutions, advocacy groups, authorized entities and of course publishers of all sizes. We can all envision a world where students with a disability get their materials on time and in the format they need. Our collective challenge is to “Make it so”

• It is my privilege to work with you all, and I look forward to our collaborative efforts over the next few months. Through them we will develop feasible solutions that can be moved on a fast implementation track for the benefit of the students.

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Contact information:

• Frederick Bowes, III (Rick)

Digital Versions, LLC

PO Box 1637, Duxbury, MA 02331-1637

Email: rbowes@bowesweb.com

Phone: 781-934-7432

Fax: 781-934-6597

Pkgs: 47 Harden Hill Rd., Duxbury, MA 02332