NIMAC for New EOTs: Everything You Wanted to Know About NIMAC but Were Afraid to Ask— in Ten Minutes! May 2012

Who are we? The NIMAC is the National Instructional Materials Access Center. Created by IDEA 2004, we are a central repository of electronic source files for accessible media production. Files can be used to produce student-ready specialized formats, such as Braille, large print, audio, and DAISY text, for students in K-12 with qualifying disabilities.

What does the NIMAC do? The NIMAC receives and catalogs publishers' electronic files of print instructional materials in the NIMAS format. We provide the searchable database and user portals, system documentation and webinar trainings for users. We create user accounts for publishers, State Coordinators, Authorized Users, and Accessible Media Producers.

How do we get files? State and local education agencies direct publishers to submit NIMAS files to the NIMAC by including language to this effect in the purchase agreements and adoption contracts for print books. NIMAC is not authorized to require files from publishers, but we are happy to help users follow up with publishers regarding files users believe should be in the NIMAC.

What about “legacy” materials? Per IDEA 2004, NIMAS was not retroactive. Customers could begin requesting NIMAS for purchases in the summer of Materials already in use at that time are considered “legacy” because publishers were not required to convert them into NIMAS. We promote Louis as the best place to search for accessible formats of older materials.

What does “source file” mean? NIMAS is intended to be used as the starting point for conversion into a fully-accessible format—files are not intended for use “as is” by students in the classroom. The NIMAS specification does not require alt text for images or image descriptions.

What does “source file” mean? The important work of making graphic content accessible to blind students happens at the point of conversion into accessible formats. Automated conversion into DAISY or other formats will not include this content.

What does it mean to “coordinate” with the NIMAC? IDEA gives states the option to either work through the NIMAC to obtain NIMAS source files, or work directly with publishers. States who coordinate agree to ask publishers to submit files to NIMAC in their new adoption contracts and purchase agreements. Currently all 50 States and also the eligible U.S. territories have “opted into” the NIMAC.

SC? AU? AMP? Huh? Each state that opts into the NIMAC chooses a NIMAC State Coordinator (SC). This person in turn designates Authorized Users (AUs) for that State. Authorized Users can download any file from the system or assign files for direct download by a registered Accessible Media Producer (AMP). AMP registration is free and open to all who have the ability to convert NIMAS, but AMPs can only download files assigned by an AU.

Locating your NIMAC SC If you are needing to get plugged into NIMAS in your state, you can locate you NIMAC State Coordinator by visiting this web site: c_contactshttp://aim.cast.org/learn/policy/state/nimas_nima c_contacts Or just give us a call or send an and we’d be happy to help!

The “National” AMPs Since 2009, states have been able to designate “authorized entities” under Chafee as Authorized Users. Many states are centralizing their accessible materials conversions by working directly with Bookshare and Learning Ally (RFB&D) as Authorized Users. APH, while considered the third “national AMP” did not seek AU status and does not serve in that capacity for any state.

NIMAC and APH While housed at APH, NIMAC exists outside of regular APH operations. APH has been a registered AMP with NIMAC since As of May 2012: 586 NIMAS file sets assigned! –266 for braille production –320 for large print production

NIMAC Statistics Jan 2011 States/OAs: 57 AUs: 177 AMPs: 171 Publishers: 99 Files: 23,815 Downloads: 6,519 * As of 5/7/2012, we have 30,699 files in the NIMAC. Jan ,490* 10,574

Looking Forward The NIMAC has now accepted over 30,000 file sets! The NIMAC recently received its second 5-year grant from OSEP. Math ML is coming!

How to Reach Us ( NIMAC)