APH as an Accessible Media Producer:

1

• APH as an Accessible Media Producer
• A Status Report

Julia Myers Nicole Gaines January 2008
2
NIMAS and Braille

• First file assigned to APH on 4/2/2007.
• Seven unique NIMAS file sets assigned.
• NIMAS Files have been distributed to APH
  Transcribers.
• Transcribers not able to make effective use of
  NIMAS file sets.

3
Barriers to NIMAS Use in Braille

• Lack of training in NIMAS and translation
  software.
• First training was held in November, 2007.
• Braille translation software not ready for NIMAS
  in 2007.

4
NIMAS APH Braille

• APH transcribers attended first NIMAS training
  and are slated to attend upcoming session in Los
  Angeles.
• NIMAS-ready version of Braille translation
  software is now ready or soon will be released.

5
NIMAS and APH Tactile Graphics

• JPEG and PNG images from NIMAS files appear to be
  useful for production of some tactile graphics
  using APH existing production software.
• SVG samples from actual NIMAS files not tested
  assume SVG will be compatible.

6
APH,NIMAS, and Large Print

• Custom traditional enlargement is a mechanical
  process of blowing up original print version.
• The ATIC process enhances design based on
  recommendations from B/VI research to increase
  usefulness to students.
• Neither process currently can incorporate NIMAS
  in production.

7
ATIC Large Print Process and NIMAS Future

• Building on ongoing enhancements and changes to
  software and production processes, NIMAS will in
  the future be compatible to some degree with the
  APH ATIC large print production process.
• SVG images not suitable for APH large print
  production.
• JPEG with a native resolution of 300 DPI
  preferred.

8
Large Print by the Numbers

• In 2007, APH provided 16,726 large print books
  representing 4,190 titles to visually impaired
  students.
• 699 new large print titles were produced by APH
  in 2007 by specific request.
• An estimated 50,578 visually impaired elementary
  and secondary school students utilize large
  print, while about 8,000 utilize Braille.

9
Large Print Images in Print

• It has been estimated that about half of textbook
  instructional content is image based.
• Images can be reproduced at higher resolution in
  print than in other media, such as via electronic
  display, without creating more work for the eye
  to perform.
• For students with visual acuity issues, the
  higher resolution and superior reproduction in
  print is an advantage, especially for charts,
  maps, and other graphical material.

10
Large Print

• Usually offers adequate space per page to fit
  enough text to keep the person with central
  vision loss oriented to the page, and to allow
  him/her to use peripheral/eccentric vision for
  reading.
• Offers the best option in contrast of black ink
  on opaque white to ivory paper.
• Offers the best option for resolution. No
  quivering of text as can happen in enlarging
  digital images.

11
More about Large Print

• Print size and font can be custom selected if the
  book is purchased through a vendor such as APH.
• Access to graphics is unlimitedand they are also
  available in color. Surveys indicate that color
  helps students better read graphs and charts.
• For some students with cognitive or physical
  disabilities, printed text and graphics is the
  best option.

12
For More Information Large Print Research

• Elaine Kitchel, Research Scientist and Low Vision
  Project Leader
• E-mail ekitchel_at_aph.org

13
For More Information Production of Large Print,
Braille, Tactile Graphics

• Jane Thompson, ATIC DirectorAmerican Printing
  House for the Blind1839 Frankfort
  Ave.Louisville, KY 40206-0085502-895-2405800-22
  3-1839atic_at_aph.orgjthompson_at_aph.org

14
For More InformationAFB NIMAS TRAINING

• Contact Mary Ann Siller at siller_at_afb.net
• http//www.afb.org/nimas.asp

15
For More InformationNIMAC

• http//www.nimac.us
• 502-899-2230
• 1-877-526-4622 (1-877-52-NIMAC)
• NIMAC_at_aph.org