The Department of Education is seeking comments on a standard that would increase the availability of educational materials for blind students or others who have difficulties with printed materials.
The National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard is required as a part of the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. States use electronic files from textbook publishers to create Braille or digital audio versions for students who need them. Because states have different requirements for such files, however, publishers face additional costs in complying with the varying requirements, and students encounter delays in getting the materials they need.
The Education Department will accept comments on the proposed standard through Sept. 12 at osersnimascomments@ed.gov. The term “NIMAS comments” must be in the subject line. More information on the proposed standard is in the June 29 issue of the Federal Register.
