GOAL 7: Access to developmental and educational services will include an assurance that instructional materials are available to students in the appropriate media and at the same time as their sighted peers.
CURRENT SITUATION 7A
There is currently limited access to custom made Braille and large print books and other educationally related materials within New Hampshire. New technology holds much promise to help to increase access by making printed educational materials more readily available in Braille and/or large print. Implementation of such technology requires personnel who are trained and given the requisite support.
AREAS OF NEED
It is necessary to order books in the spring for the upcoming school year (beginning in September). Classroom teachers sometimes change textbooks during the summer or with very little notice.
INITIATIVES
To expand the large print and Braille production resources of the State Library, especially the service of scanning printed materials and the production of materials in accessible format.
STRATEGIES
Advocate for increased Braille and large print resources through the State Library and other facilities.
Explore collaborative efforts between state agencies, as well as between state and private agencies, to establish and utilize a central resource for larger production needs.
CURRENT SITUATION 7B
Within the statewide resource center, there has historically been an understanding of formatting and the various challenges associated with the production of large print and Braille.
AREAS OF NEED
There is limited production capability within the state. There is currently a shift in the service delivery model for statewide support services for school age children with visual impairment
INITIATIVES
To monitor quality and the expansion of support services and resources, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide support program (ASSETT) in regard to the provision of quality large print and Braille.
STRATEGIES
Develop further interstate collaboration with the Massachusetts Vision Resource Library.
Continue to provide a statewide librarian with expertise in library skills (categorizing, ordering, shelving, sorting labeling etc.).
Develop an advisory committee to the new statewide support program (ASSETT).
CURRENT SITUATION 7C
N.H. has a statewide instructional materials center whose mission is to support students with visual impairments in their educational placements. This center also provides resources and networking support for teachers.
AREAS OF NEED
People working with students with visual impairments need ongoing support and training relative to the appropriate selection and use of instructional materials and related technology.
INITIATIVES
To provide ongoing assistance and training to school district staff, families, and community agencies relative to the appropriate selection and use of materials.
STRATEGIES
Provide in-service training to staff and families with regard to appropriate selection and use of materials.
Provide assistance to local education teams on an individual student basis.
Provide support for community activities and events that are related to the educational needs of students with visual impairments.
CURRENT SITUATION 7D
A masters level educational media specialist orders materials based upon documented needs of students, districts and teachers.
AREAS OF NEED
There is a need for increased hands-on materials that support classroom lesson content and instruction
Due to the highly specialized resources and knowledge base required, there continues to be a need for a masters level educational media specialist to manage the Educational Materials Center.
INITIATIVES
To provide information about and assistance in the selection of available materials to school district personnel, families, and qualified teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired.
STRATEGIES
Distribute information relative to new materials available for loan from the Educational Materials Center.
Assist students, families, and teachers to locate specific materials.
Coordinate, order and deliver necessary records and documentation to ensure requested materials/books are available in a timely manner.
Provide support to local school districts through research of vendors, costs and availability of books in appropriate alternative format, as well as other instructional materials and equipment.
CURRENT SITUATION 7E
There are limited opportunities to train staff on the adaptation of materials and classroom modifications.
AREAS OF NEED
Support to local district personnel in the area of teacher made/created materials, teaching tools and strategies is needed.
INITIATIVES
To increase coordination and sharing of "teacher made materials" so that they can be made available for loan in order to foster greater peer support and information sharing.
STRATEGIES
- Provide in-service training and workshops on the fabrication and creative construction of specialized items.
- Inventory and maintain quality teacher-made materials for loan and/or distribution to others.
CURRENT SITUATION 7F
Electronic and information technology are rapidly becoming an integral part of most education programs.
AREAS OF NEED
Much of the content of these curricula areas is not readily available to students who require information in an accessible format.
INITIATIVES
Continue to support legislation relative to accessibility to publicly funded technology in the schools.
STRATEGIES
Monitor legislative initiatives with regard to the potential impact on students with visual impairment.
Work with the N.H. Department of Education and other appropriate agencies to insure that computer hardware and software procured for instructional use are accessible to students with visual impairments as required by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
CURRENT SITUATION 7G
N.H. has passed legislation mandating a learning media assessment be provided to all functionally blind students. (RSA 186c-2). This legislation also requires instruction in Braille for all functionally blind students unless Braille is determined not to be the appropriate learning media for the student (see appendix D).
AREAS OF NEED
Certified educators need to be available to provide learning media assessment and instruction.
INITIATIVES
To provide input on legislation related to Braille and other learning media assessment.
STRATEGIES
Utilize the current copyright law that allows qualifying agencies to translate information into Braille without copyright infringement (this is not the case for large print reproduction).
Encourage school districts and other agencies to support ongoing coursework, conference participation, training, etc. for related service providers.
Encourage the recruitment and hiring of qualified staff by agencies and school districts providing services to students who are blind or visually impaired.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS RELATIVE TO GOAL 7
Refer to appendices D and E as well as items J (1997 Revisions to the Federal Copyright Law) and F (Texas Accessibility Report to the Legislature) on the attached list of additional resources.