NIMAC “Spring Training” for Authorized Users

1. NIMAC “Spring Training” for Authorized Users Nicole Gaines ngaines@aph.org March 2019

2. Part 1 • NIMAC – A Refresher & Update • Background • What is NIMAS? • How we get files • Types of materials we receive • Digital instructional materials • Watchlist • Resources

3. What is an Authorized User? • An Authorized User is someone who has been designated by their State Coordinator to have access to the NIMAC repository. • They can search and download files or assign files to registered Accessible Media Producers (AMPs). • They are individuals who are involved in some way in the production of accessible formats for students with print disabilities in their state. • Bookshare can also be designated as an AU.

4. What is an AMP account? • An Authorized User may directly work as an accessible media producer, but for the purposes of the NIMAC, an AMP is an organization or individual that has an AMP account. • This is an account that allows the user to download any file assigned to them for download by an Authorized User. • These users do not have to be designated by a state coordinator.

5. The NIMAC Project • Created by IDEA 2004, the NIMAC is the national source file repository for K-12 textbooks and instructional materials. • We make NIMAS files available for use in producing accessible formats for K-12 print instructional materials. • We have about 53,000 file sets from 145 publishers. • All 50 states plus 7 outlying areas work with the NIMAC.

6. What is NIMAS? • NIMAS is the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard. • An XML-based source file format. • Designed for use in producing formats such as braille, DAISY, EPUB, large print. • It is not intended for distribution directly to students. • NIMAS is the only format we receive.

7. How we get files • Under IDEA 2004, the only mechanism to require NIMAS from the publisher is the print book adoption contract or purchase agreement. • Since July of 2006, customers can require NIMAS when they purchase new textbooks. • NIMAC is happy to request a file from a publisher for you if we don’t already have it—more about that later!

8. Types of materials we receive • NIMAC receives “textbooks and related printed core materials” published primarily for use in K-12 education. • Materials we receive include: textbooks, workbooks, supplementary readers, and ancillary materials such as blackline masters. • Generally exempt: pre-2006 titles, trade books, college textbooks, reference books. • Digital materials are currently also exempt.

9. Watchlist • If a file you need is not available in the NIMAC, you probably will not have a way to know if it “should” be in the NIMAC or not. • If you need a book but don’t find it in the NIMAC, just add the ISBN to your Watchlist. • NIMAC will research the item for you and try to obtain NIMAS for the title. • This service to research and expedited needed files was piloted in 2017 and is now an ongoing service of the NIMAC.

10. Watchlist • If the title is within scope for NIMAS (i.e., not in an exempt category), we will request the file from the publisher. • If the file is already in production, we may be able to expedite it for you. • When the Watchlist ISBN is available in the NIMAC, you will receive an automated email to let you know. • If the file is outside of scope, we will research other accessibility alternatives and provide that information to you.

13. Part 2 • Live demo for Authorized User account • Logging in • Searching • Watchlist and expediting needed files • Downloading • Assigning files to AMPs • AMP and Publisher information • Questions?

14. Any Questions? • For any questions about how to use NIMAC or the status of files in the NIMAC system please contact us for assistance: nimac@aph.org 877-526-4622