The Center for Accessible
Publishing: Recognizing the Potential of Non- print Readers
Presenter
#1
Berkeley
State/Province/Region: California
Zip/Postal Code: 94703
Country: USA
Day Phone: 510-967-4003
Email: info@accessiblepublishing.org
The
Director of the Center will report on the Accessible Text Clearinghouse
project, which addresses the unmet needs of college students who are non- print
readers.
Complete Paper: The Center for Accessible Publishing is the first organization
of its kind, devoted to creating a viable market for accessible electronic
information. The mission of the Center is to help the publishing industry
recognize the potential in serving the needs of non—print readers, and to
overcome technological and social harriers preventing equal access to
information for all.
The Center was founded in March, 2005 by Stephanie May, a university student
who had experienced frustration in her attempts to obtain accessible editions of
her course materials. Out of desperation she began contacting authors and
publishers to ask for what she needed directly. After attending the 2005 CSUN
Technology and Persons with
Disabilities Conference and networking with scores of people also attempting to
tackle this problem, she realized that a solution required a specialized and
organized approach.
Stephanie decided to start an organization that would make it easier for all
colleges to request accessible files from publishers, and easier for publishers
to comply with those
requests. The Center is dedicated to the proposition that individuals who do not
read standard print are an essential part of the market for information and
literature
published in digital form.
The Center’s first initiative addresses the unmet needs of college students who
are non- print readers. The Accessible Text Clearinghouse (ATC) will facilitate
the secure request and distribution of electronic files to students with
disabilities. The ATC is a distribution system for accessible electronic files
to college students who are non—print readers.
Publishers benefit by having a trusted intermediary to handle the details of
the request.
- Colleges benefit by having one place to go to make requests.
ATC Terms of Use:
1. Participation in the ATC is voluntary, and is not pursuant to state or
federal law.
2. Publishers may impose restrictions on usage or require further information
before providing files.
3. The ATC will not accept requests for books that are commercially available
in a format that meets the student’s needs.
4. Students must be currently enrolled and receiving services through Disabled
Student Services, or the college’s equivalent office.
5. Students must purchase books before receiving electronic files.
6. Students must be aware they are not to copy or lend electronic files.
7. Colleges agree to notify the ATC if they would like to reuse files previously
provided for another qualified student.
S. Colleges understand publisher files are not available for every book
requested.
9. Colleges agree to post reviews of files they receive on the ATC forum.
Colleges in the ATC Pilot Program for 2005—06:
Alaska — University of Alaska, Anchorage Arizona — Paradise Valley Community
College
Georgia - Shorter College Illinois — Lincoln College, Normal Kansas — Johnson
County
Community College Louisiana - Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Maine — Southern
Maine Community College Maine - University of Southern Maine Massachusetts - Lesley
University Massachusetts — Tufts University Nebraska — Southeast Community
College New
Mexico - Albuquerque TVI Community College North Carolina — Guilford Technical
Community
College New Jersey — Centenary College New York — Buffalo State College New
York - State
University of New York Agriculture and Technical College at Cobleskill Ohio - Stark
State
College Tennessee — Mississippi State Technical Community College Texas - Austin
College
Washington, DC — American University
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