UTAH STATE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ACCESS CENTER U.S.I.M.A.C PREFERRED BRAILLE NETWORK WEBINAR (P.B.N.) By Hollie Murdock, USIMAC/ERC Director
USIMAC - Overview NIMAS…NIMAC…USIMAC Founded January 2009 Our Vision: To provide accessible educational materials to ALL print disabled students within a timely manner. Timely Manner = The same time as non-print disabled peers
USIMAC – Production Team Current Staff: Director Executive Assistant 2 Customer Service Reps 6 Braille Transcriber/Editors 2 Proofreaders 4 Proofreader Aides 2 Alternate Format Techs 1 Tactile Graphics Specialist 1 Shipping-Receiving/Inventory Specialist
USIMAC – Available Formats Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Braille Embossed materials BRF files Tactile graphics Large Print Digital Text PDF Fillable PDF (for workbooks, tests, etc) Audio files Daisy MP3
USIMAC – How to become a PBN Complete the Library of Congress (LOC) braille certification course Send an to expressing your completion certificate to Complete the USIMAC PBN test and return to You must receive a score of 90% or higher. Provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license and social security card A State of Utah vendor ID will be issued upon completion of the above steps.
USIMAC – Submitting bids Notifications will be sent out annually Watch for an and mail notification every January
USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work Example “The following project is available for transcription from USIMAC: Please accept or decline this offer within 48 hours to Title: I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World Level: Literary EBAE Level 2 – No Graphics USIMAC No.: SO8459 Print Pages: 265 Estimated Braille pages: 795 The deadline is 14 days after receipt of Purchase Order”
USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work Example “Thank you. State Purchasing has been notified of your acceptance of the project. You will be notified once the final purchase order has been approved. ”
USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work Example “The State of Utah has approved your bid for “I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World. USIMAC No.: SO8458” Attached is your approved State Purchase Order PO1063 and the State of Utah Purchase Order Standard Terms and Conditions for Goods. A copy of the Terms and Conditions may also be obtained at Also attached are the Agency Guidelines for USIMAC Braille Projects, Agency Title Page Template, and the USIMAC Fact Sheet.”
USIMAC – Agency Guidelines Please read through the agency guidelines carefully! No extra spaces for graphics Use USIMAC formatted Title page A copy will be placed on the website under the “Preferred Braille Network” tab
USIMAC – Title Page/Proofreading Please include a completed title page with each volume. Proofreader’s name must be included on the title page. Proofreading must now be completed prior to first submission Proofreader notes are required from PBN Rates may increase as needed to compensate for proofreading services. Please transcribe the printing history information on the versa page.
USIMAC – Existing Projects Once you receive the above documents you will be assigned an Editor. All correspondence with your Editor must be via to and cc’d to your Upon receipt of your purchase order, confirm with your Editor within 48 hours Your Editor can answer questions regarding the transcription part of the project. Any payment or contract questions including deadlines, please
USIMAC – Receiving Payment all completed information to Include the following: Number of volumes Page count per volume You will receive a confirmation similar to this example: You are authorized for payment of 312 braille pages for a total of $ Volume 196 Braille Pages$ Volume 287 Braille Pages$ Volume 3129 Braille Pages$154.80
USIMAC – Receiving Payment Electronic Funds Transfer Moving forward everyone is required to be set up to receive payment via EFT No paper checks will be mailed after March 1 st. Teresa will you the form once your bid submission is received this year. EFT Forms will be included in all new PBN packets
USIMAC – Website/Add’l Info Information about each format Training
USIMAC - Braille EBAE vs UEB Nemeth vs UEB Math Click on “Find out about Unified English Braille (UEB) Click on Nemeth-UEB Provisional Guidance
USIMAC – Braille / Tactile Graphics
Contacts / Questions Contacts New Contracts / Bids Mandy Kay: Existing Contracts Amy Young: Invoices Teresa Patterson: Website