High Volume Production of Alternative Text: Supporting a Statewide System

1. The Alternative Media Access Center High Volume Production of Alternative Text: Supporting a Statewide System

2. The Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) is a statewide service offering digital media, training and research. AMAC provides individuals with physical, sensory, and learning print-related disabilities independence and access to knowledge. • AMAC works with private institutions, government and non-profit organizations, private industry, and other agencies serving individuals with disabilities. AMAC research initiatives and services incorporate digital media and adaptive technology solutions.

3. So what do we do? • Provide academic media in multiple accessible formats to meet the needs of students who have physical, sensory and learning print-related disabilities. • Provide support services to students and Disability Service Providers (DSPs) across Georgia. • Provide assistive technology evaluations and training and encourage statewide collaboration of technical resources.

4. AMAC Services • Access to the AMAC assistive technology cooperative which will provide adaptive technology software, hardware and technical support (Premier Assistive Technology). • Access to password protected electronic material delivery services. • Access to monthly student services reports. • Access to training and technical assistance. • Access to Braille text conversion or contract services. • Access to a bidding portal for Braille transcription services. • Services for deaf and hard of hearing services (projected FY08).

5. So what do we hope to do? • Establish a formal library database of alternative media to decrease production time. • Collaborate and partner with publishers to streamline production of alternative media. • Provide consistent quality of alternative media for students. • Standardize policies and methods of production. • Improve timeliness of production with use of high-tech equipment and well-trained staff. • Be able to handle up to 2000 books per semester.

7. Publisher File Request process varies and can be time-consuming Not always available Different formats Formatted for printing Book Buy book and cut off spine Scan book Intermediate file is image file Useful if end user only requires enlarged print or swapped colors Run OCR to covert image to text Cleanse and format Page numbers Ordering Image or figure descriptors E-file can be used as source for Screen reader Text to audio Issues No standard format If done poorly, end product is poor quality Desired outcome is interactive reading experience Production Process

14. Files come in either Word or PDF Need incentive Have no leverage Willing to pay/ would be able to make demands Increase timeliness Don’t offer similar product for retail No standard, no ability to make standard We purchase every single book Code Mantra Publisher files

15. Properly embedded fonts Cropped registration marks and blank areas Image and text disclaimers Bookmarked table of contents Cleaned-up and inserted cover pages Linked table of contents (to three levels) Linked endnotes Headings linked to table of contents (to three levels) External URLs Images optimized for web delivery Indices linked (optional service) Complimentary file delivery Ideal Accessible document: Correct reading order Correct tagging Accessible math Eliminate broken words between pages Retain formatting Searchable document/ Linked table of contents Description of images in expansion text OCR edited for incorrect reading Universal PDF vs. Accessible PDF

16. What other option is there? • Publisher sell e-books, not compatible with AT • Purchase every book and produce it ourselves. • Hire student workers. • Decrease timeliness, increase quality • Develop new software to make reading easier. - Premier technology - Daisy - Coded Mp3

17. Answer Publisher needs to supply more files.