[Nyabs] Fwd: Accessible Instructional Materials) AIM Commission Final Report

[Kathryn Carroll]

Hi all,

This might interest some of you. This is a summary of a report released
about accessing materials for post-secondary education.

Kate


*AIM COMMISSION RELEASES REPORT ON DISPARITIES IN PSTSECONDARY LEARNING
MATERIAL FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES*

(http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/publications.html****

** **

The Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in
Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities released today a
report <http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/publications.html> )
providing Congress with vital recommendations for improving the ability of
postsecondary students with disabilities to obtain accessible instructional
materials in a timely and cost-effective manner.****

 ****

"The AIM Commission's report sheds light on the hurdles students with
disabilities too often face in accessing and completing higher education
courses," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Their
recommendations will help our colleges and universities offer more
effective resources that meet the needs of all students and provide
students with disabilities the 21st century learning tools they need to be
successful." ****

* *****

Established by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the commission
brought together government leaders, representatives from the publishing
industry, individuals with print disabilities, representatives from two-
and four-year institutions of higher education, leaders in accessible
technology, and other stakeholders.  * *****

 ****

Over the course of 14 months, commission members studied the current state
of accessible materials for students with disabilities in postsecondary
education. Comprised of various stakeholders, including students with
disabilities, members of the publishing community, higher education
personnel, and content experts in the fields of disability and technology,
the commission offered diverse perspectives on the state of accessible
instructional materials across postsecondary campuses nationwide. ****

 ****

The commission’s study found that:****

** **

**·         **Students with disabilities, and most notably students with
print disabilities, often experience a variety of challenges that result
from inaccessible learning materials and/or their delivery systems. ****

**·         **Disability resource service providers and other university
personnel often must engage in labor-intensive practices to provide
accessible instructional materials to students with disabilities.****

**·         **Textbook publishers and a number of electronic text vendors
are moving to incorporate accessibility into their products, but many
products are still inaccessible to students with disabilities who have
difficulties accessing printed text.****

**·         **Opportunities for capacity building within postsecondary
educational institutions are essential for improving the ability of these
institutions to provide accessible instructional materials to students with
disabilities.****

 ****

The commission members reached consensus on 18 recommendations to address
the findings of its study.  Recommendations include:****

** **

**·         ***Congress should authorize the United States Access Board to
establish guidelines for accessible instructional materials that will be
used by government, in the private sector, and in postsecondary academic
settings.*****

**·         **Congress should consider incentives to accelerate innovation
in accessibility by publishers and producers of course materials, hardware,
and software by offering support and inducements for the production, sale,
and consumption of accessible instructional materials and delivery systems.*
***

**·         **The commission recommends that federally sponsored projects
and programs encourage and support systematic faculty and staff
professional development with respect to selection, production, and
delivery of high-quality accessible instruction materials to meet the needs
of students with disabilities in postsecondary settings.****

** **

Dr. Alexa Posny, assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services notes, “Given the growing population of students
with disabilities pursuing higher education, this report will be a valuable
resource in improving our ability to better serve students with
disabilities while also helping more students' complete postsecondary
programs.”****

 ****

A complete list of the commission’s recommendations is available at
http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/publications.html.  ****

 ****

For more on the Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials
(AIM) in Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities, visit
http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/index.html. ****

** **

** **

*L. Scott Lissner, Ohio State University ADA Coordinator, *

*Office Of Diversity And Inclusion*
  Associate, John Glenn School of Public Affairs
  Lecturer, Knowlton School of Architecture, Moritz College of Law &
Disability Studies ****

  President Elect & Chair, Public Policy Committee, Association on Higher
Education And Disability ****

  Chair, ADA-OHIO
  Member,  Ohio Governor's Council For People With Disabilities****

  Member, Columbus Advisory Council on Disability Issues ****

** **

(614) 292-6207(v); (614) 688-8605(tty) (614) 688-3665(fax);
Http://ada.osu.edu <http://ada.osu.edu/>****

281 W. Lane Ave<http://www.osu.edu/map/building.php?area=northdorms&building=160>,
Columbus, OH 43210-1266****

* *

** **



-- 
Kathryn Carroll
St. John's University School of Law 2013
(Ph.) 347-455-1521
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