From: SMITH LEIGH ANN [mailto:LSMITH@isbe.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: NIMAS/NIMAC Information

Good morning.

This message is sent on behalf of Elizabeth Hanselman

Thank you.

NIMAS/NIMAC Information

The U.S. Congress adopted the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.  NIMAS legislates that one standard is to be used in translating educational materials into an electronic format.  The National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) provides a central depository for those materials from which states then designate Authorized Users (AUs) as contacts for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to be able to access materials for those students who may be blind or visually impaired or have a print disability.

The Illinois State Board of Education, Department of Special Education is the administrator for adherence to the NIMAS.  We are also responsible for determining the NIMAC users for the state.  Any district/teacher that needs materials from the NIMAC for their students who are blind or visually impaired or have a print disability may contact one of the two state-approved Authorized Users listed below.

FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED THE ILLINOIS AUTHORIZED USER IS:

The Illinois Instructional Materials Center is located at 1850 West Roosevelt, Chicago, Illinois 60608.  They can be reached via phone at 312/666-1331 or via e-mail Barbara.perkis@chicagolighthouse.org

The purpose of the Illinois Instructional Materials Center is to purchase and distribute on a statewide basis Braille and large-print books, adapted materials, and assistive technology equipment for students with visual disabilities.   They serve elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students with visual impairments. 

FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A PRINT DISABILITY THE ILLINOIS AUTHORIZED USER IS:

Infinitec is located at 7550 W 183rd Street, Tinley Park, Il  60477 and is affiliated with United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago.  They can be reached via phone at 708-444-4203 or it is preferable that you contact them with your NIMAS request via e-mail at sclements@ucpnet.org.

In addition, the state funds the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) which has a large repository of materials for students with visual and reading impairments by converting printed educational materials into recordings, computerized documents and other accessible formats (e.g., digital audio textbooks with navigation features) to enhance the ability of visually impaired children to keep up with their peers.

To access their services schools apply for membership and selected schools are able to choose from 100,000 titles or have a textbook converted into digitally recorded text.  Resources provided include recorded textbooks, literature, recreational reading material, and state-of-the-art assistive technology.  Elementary and secondary school students with visual and reading impairments are served by this program. 

RFB&D can be reached at 180 North Michigan Avenue, # 620, Chicago, IL  60601, or via phone at 312-236-8715 ext. 201.

Questions regarding this information may be directed to Kelly Wojcik, Principal Consultant, at 217/782-5589 or kwojcik@isbe.net.

Leigh Ann Smith

Special Education and Support Services

Illinois State Board of Education

100 North First Street, N-253

217-782-4870

lsmith@isbe.net