NIMAS InformationNIMAS Did you know that NIMAS files are available for FOSS grades K-8 student print materials? Maybe you’ve heard of NIMAS, but you’re unsure of what it is or how to access the files. Here’s a brief overview of the basics. What are NIMAS files? NIMAS files are not intended for distribution as is to classrooms, schools, or districts because the xml files require additional enhancements to make them accessible and student-ready. Typically a third party, such as American Printing House for the Blind, a regional/state conversion organization, or braille transcribers, produces the student-ready books required for classroom use. Where can I find NIMAS files? The overall purpose of NIMAS and the NIMAC is to have a consistent national standard of high-quality source files available through one central location to improve the quality and delivery of required specialized formats. How do I search for NIMAS files? To retrieve the complete alphabetical listing of FOSS NIMAS files, select “Delta Education” from the drop-down menu in the publisher field and click “Search.” A search for a specific title, such as FOSS Weather and Water Resources book, yields the following result: Title: Weather and Water Resources: Images, Data, and Readings How do I download and obtain NIMAS files? You can find out who the authorized users in your state are by visiting the following website: http://aem.cast.org/policies/authorized-entities.html. Here you will find a comprehensive list of the authorized users organized by state, as well as their telephone number and email address. One important note: It is not mandated that every state coordinates with the NIMAC. However, states are required to provide instructional materials to blind students or those with other print disabilities in a timely manner. Please check if your state has opted not to coordinate through the NIMAC. For the latest information, you can visit http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/nimac.html. The information in this posting came from the CAST NIMAS Center website. You can visit http://aem.cast.org/ for more detailed information. You can also visit the NIMAC’s home page for teachers, parents, and students at http://www.nimac.us/teachers.html. |