National Instructional Media Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
A technical standard utilized by curriculum and other instructional publishers to produce XML source files that are used to present content in a variety of specialized formats, such as braille or audio books. These specialized formats are used by students who are blind, have low vision, or have a print disability. To learn more about NIMAS, go to http://aim.cast.org/
The National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) is the electronic file repository where NIMAS files are converted to printed instructional materials, and made available to authorized users in each state. Authorized users are responsible for distributing the accessible formats (e.g., braille, audio books, or large print) to students who meet eligibility criteria defined in IDEA (2004). To learn more about NIMAC, go to http://www.nimac.us/
Kansas school districts, special education cooperatives, education service centers, and interlocals will access student ready specialized instructional publications through the Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC). Additionally, NIMAC student-ready materials may be accessed from Learning Ally or Bookshare.
Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC)
The Kansas Instructional Resource Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (KIRC) assists, school districts in obtaining braille, large print, recorded textbooks, and other educational materials. The services provided by KIRC are available only to Kansas students. More information about specialized instructional materials for students who are blind, have a low vision loss, or have a print disability can be found at: http://www.kirc.org/
InfiniTEXT
InfiniTEXTis a program to provide digital text for qualified K - 12 students with print disabilities. This program is available to the Infinitec Assistive Technology Coalitions and K-12 schools across Kansas. To learn more about InfiniTEXT go to http://www.infinitec.org/ or http://www.myinfinitec.org/home
Learning Ally
Learning Ally (formerly Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that houses the largest audio textbook library for students with print disabilities. Visit Learning Ally at http://www.learningally.org/
BookshareTM
BookshareTM, (www.bookshare.org), is the world’s largest online accessible library for individuals with print disabilities, such as blindness, low vision, a physical disability, or a reading disability that makes it difficult or impossible to read standard print. The library has tens of thousands of books including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, educational reading, newspapers and magazines, plus free software applications that read digital content.