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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 unlimitedand 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.

For More Information: Large Print Research Elaine Kitchel, Research Scientist and Low Vision Project Leader

For More Information: Production of Large Print, Braille, & Tactile Graphics Jane Thompson, ATIC Director American Printing House for the Blind 1839 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY

For More Information AFB NIMAS TRAINING Contact Mary Ann Siller at

For More Information: NIMAC ( NIMAC)