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Re:What are NIMAS and NIMAC anyway? |
This message was posted by KZaldivar on Jul 20, 2009. |
Thank you for the information. I still have a question. I was looking at the list of states providing this service and noticed Florida is not in the list. What options do we have here in Florida? Also, I teach students with specific learning disabilities included in the general education classroom, and the greatest barrier they present is when reading content area (Science and Social Studies) textbooks because they have a reading difficulty. Are there any options for my students? |
- Re:What are NIMAS and NIMAC anyway? posted by Grace on Jul 20, 2009
Yes, we also have many students who need content area read to them. In the past, I have contacted the publishers of the textbooks, and occasionally they have sent the text on CD. Then, I use it with a text reader (we use ReadPlease Plus). Not all textbooks will have this option for audio text, but most of the newer ones do. (The school district can then buy the audio version similar to buying another print copy.) Also, you can request the textbook from Bookshare; they will scan it and send it in audio form for use on the computer with their text reader downloaded. It's a free service.
- Re:What are NIMAS and NIMAC anyway? posted by Betsy Burgess on Jul 21, 2009
Hi Grace, Thanks for the post, and I just have two points of clarification. Bookshare CAN accept requests to produce student-ready textbooks from teachers at schools that have organizational memberships. However, the request process will depend upon the state. In CA, CO, KS, MA, MD, MO, MT, NH, NY, OR, TN, VT, and Guam, Bookshare has been designated as an Authorized User of the NIMAC, meaning that upon request from a teacher, Bookshare can go into the NIMAC and prepare a textbook. However, in states where Bookshare is not yet an Authorized User, teachers must first contact an organization that is an Authorized User and ask that the request be assigned to Bookshare.
- Re:What are NIMAS and NIMAC anyway? posted by Betsy Burgess on Jul 21, 2009
- Re:What are NIMAS and NIMAC anyway? posted by Joy Zabala on Jul 21, 2009
Yes, indeed! EVERY state is required by special education statute to provide specialized formats in a timely manner to student who require them. Access to information contained in textbooks across the curriculum are the prime targets of this legislation. Florida does have a NIMAS coordinator. There is a list a http://nimas.cast.org that should provide you with the information you need to contact the correct person.