High Volume Production of Alternative Text: Supporting a

Statewide System

The Alternative Media Access Center

• 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.

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.

• 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).

AMAC Services

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.

Production Process• 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

• 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

Universal PDF vs. Accessible PDF• 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

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

Answer

Publisher needs to supply more files.