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NCAC: Research & Solutions: Policy: State Accessible Curriculum Policy Survey

50 State Accessible Curriculum Policy Survey

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ALABAMA

Interview Notes (April, 2003)

A representative from the AL Department of Education in the State Textbook Office was unaware of any AL law requiring publishers to provide accessible materials.We then spoke with Teresa Lacy, Director, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind at (800) 848-4722. The following are notes from this interview:

• Publisher provides file "for good PR"—she does not believe that there is a law requiring them to do so

• The publishers don't always provide files in a usable format—that is why she is interested in IMAA passing. "I called my senators to tell them to support it"

• State Department of Education pays for one Braillist and the other 3 in the state (all at AL Institute for Deaf & Blind) paid for by Resource Center for the Blind. They either translate the texts into Braille from the publisher's file or buy it from Louis if it's already been made into Braille

• 900 blind/visually impaired kids in public/private school

• 115 at the School for the Blind

• Warren Figeurita at LA Instructional Materials Center is a good source. He is visually impaired and up on the federal legislation

• Another good source: Christine Anderson at APH

Also, AFB Web site notes that AL has a law: Admin Rules Sec 290-080-09990-.13(25) which specifies the electronic file be compatible with Braille conversion.

Links and Contact Information

Department of Education: http://www.alsde.edu/html/

Special Education: http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/section_detail.asp?section=65&menu=sections&footer=sections

Contacts

Dr. Commander, Supervisor, Textbook Office
Tel. (334) 242-9743

Teresa Lacy, Director, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
Tel.(800) 848-4722

Special Education Office
Tel. (334) 242-8114

Textbook Office
Tel. (334) 242-9718

Mabrey Whetstone, Coordinator
Tel.(334) 242-8114
E-mail: speced@alsde.edu

Camilla Gibson, Assistive Technology
E-mail: cgibson@alsde.edu

Emily D. Graham, Legal Contact
E-mail: egraham@alsde.edu

Doris McQuiddy, Legal Contact
E-mail: dorismc@alsde.edu

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