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Home | Special Services | Assistive Technology | Accessible Text

Accessible Text

Steps for Teachers Acquiring Enlarged or Digital Text

1. When you suspect a need:
  • Review the AIM-VA website at http://kihd.gmu.edu/aim/.
  • Contact your exceptional education coordinator to attend the IEP meeting with you to help commit resources at IEP.
  • Have IEP meeting and get agreement that the student requires access to an alternate form of textbooks and print materials.

2. IEP Team confirms there is a need:

  • List accommodation as needed in the IEP under accommodations section.  The student's reading disability, visual impairment or physical disability should be mentioned in the PLOP, thus explaining the need for such an accommodation.  Access to alternative text books should also be listed in the considerations section under assistive technology.

3.   Complete and sign NIMAS verification letter 

  • Send the signed verification letter on the pony to Trampton Center to the attention of the AT Coordinator. This verification letter confirms the student meets AIM-VA qualifications and can be found by clicking on the link.
  • AT Coordinator will process the request with technology for the installation of the text reader software (Read Outloud) 

4. Send a list of the needed book titles and desired format to the Digital Rights Manager at your local school.

  • Refer to the spreadsheet model (which can be accessed by clicking on the link) for the text information required (ISBN) and descriptions of available format options (please note that this is an Excel document and will be downloaded to your computer). Fill out the spread sheet and e-mail it to the Digital Rights Manager at Central Office
  • Teachers should check for free downloadable versions on Bookshare.org (this requires a free membership).

5. Plan for instruction with the student for how to use the alternate forms of texts.

  • Check with the student or the computer to ensure the installation of the Read Outloud software was successful.
  • Explicitly teach and guide student with alternate text materials and software. Read Outloud online training may be accessed at:
    http://www.donjohnston.com/resources/readoutloud_index.html
  • Monitor progress and use to assist data-driven decisions concerning the continuation of the particular accommodation at the next IEP.

Please refer to Virginia Department of Education 2008 document Assisitive Technology: A Framework for Consideration and Assessment (pages 5-6) (pdf)