APH as an Accessible Media Producer: A Status Report

1. APH as an Accessible Media Producer: A Status Report Julia Myers Nicole Gaines January 2008

2. NIMAS and Braille • First file assigned to APH on 4/2/2007. • Seven unique NIMAS file sets assigned. • NIMAS Files have been distributed to APH Transcribers. • Transcribers not able to make effective use of NIMAS file sets.

3. Barriers to NIMAS Use in Braille • Lack of training in NIMAS and translation software. • First training was held in November, 2007. • Braille translation software not ready for NIMAS in 2007.

4. NIMAS & APH Braille • APH transcribers attended first NIMAS training and are slated to attend upcoming session in Los Angeles. • NIMAS-ready version of Braille translation software is now ready or soon will be released.

5. NIMAS and APH Tactile Graphics • JPEG and PNG images from NIMAS files appear to be useful for production of some tactile graphics using APH existing production software. • SVG samples from actual NIMAS files not tested; assume SVG will be compatible.

6. APH,NIMAS, and Large Print • Custom traditional enlargement is a mechanical process of “blowing up” original print version. • The “ATIC” process enhances design based on recommendations from B/VI research to increase usefulness to students. • Neither process currently can incorporate NIMAS in production.

7. ATIC Large Print Process and NIMAS Future • Building on ongoing enhancements and changes to software and production processes, NIMAS will in the future be compatible to some degree with the APH ATIC large print production process. • SVG images not suitable for APH large print production. • JPEG with a native resolution of 300 DPI preferred.

8. Large Print by the Numbers • In 2007, APH provided 16,726 large print books representing 4,190 titles to visually impaired students. • 699 new large print titles were produced by APH in 2007 by specific request. • An estimated 50,578 visually impaired elementary and secondary school students utilize large print, while about 8,000 utilize Braille.

9. Large Print Images in Print • It has been estimated that about half of textbook instructional content is image based. • Images can be reproduced at higher resolution in print than in other media, such as via electronic display, without creating more work for the eye to perform. • For students with visual acuity issues, the higher resolution and superior reproduction in print is an advantage, especially for charts, maps, and other graphical material.

10. Large Print • Usually offers adequate space per page to fit enough text to keep the person with central vision loss oriented to the page, and to allow him/her to use peripheral/eccentric vision for reading. • Offers the best option in contrast of black ink on opaque white to ivory paper. • Offers the best option for resolution. No quivering of text as can happen in enlarging digital images.

11. More about Large Print • Print size and font can be custom selected if the book is purchased through a vendor such as APH. • Access to graphics is unlimited—and they are also available in color. Surveys indicate that color helps students better read graphs and charts. • For some students with cognitive or physical disabilities, printed text and graphics is the best option.

12. For More Information: Large Print Research • Elaine Kitchel, Research Scientist and Low Vision Project Leader • E-mail: ekitchel@aph.org

13. For More Information: Production of Large Print, Braille, & Tactile Graphics Jane Thompson, ATIC DirectorAmerican Printing House for the Blind1839 Frankfort Ave.Louisville, KY 40206-0085502-895-2405800-223-1839atic@aph.orgjthompson@aph.org

14. For More InformationAFB NIMAS TRAINING • Contact Mary Ann Siller at siller@afb.net • http://www.afb.org/nimas.asp

15. For More Information:NIMAC • http://www.nimac.us • 502-899-2230 • 1-877-526-4622 (1-877-52-NIMAC) • NIMAC@aph.org