Beyond Print’s Disabilities

NCTI, November, 2010

NIMAS

The National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard

First, a policy interruption

..NIMAS is a standard for digital source files that can be used to accurately and reliably produce instructional materials in a variety of alternate formats using the same source file.

…addresses the national need to increase the availability and timely delivery of print instructional materials in accessible formats to blind or other students with print disabilities in elementary and secondary schools.

NIMAS OUTCOMES:

Virtually every textbook in American schools published after 2006 is now available in a digital XML version to any child with a print disability.

in public policy

Understanding “Print disabilities”

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

Section 103(24) UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING.--The term `universal design for learning' means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that—

    ``(A) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and

  

in public policy

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

Section 103(24) UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING.--The term `universal design for learning' means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that—

    ``(A) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and

  

Here’s a Definition of UDL from U.S. Congress Legislation

As a framework for design

Print is too disabled as a medium to meet the challenge of diversity

New media provides

dynamic options

for engagement and

motivation

What has a print disability?

Schools have print disabilities

Disabilities in who they can assess

Disabled in what they can assess accurately and informatively

Disabled in how they prepare students for their future

Affective networks

Print is disabled in the limited ways that it can engage and motivate optimal performance.