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

50 State Accessible Curriculum Policy Survey

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MISSOURI

Interview Notes (April 2003)

We spoke with Roselie Backer at the Department of Special Education.

• State law 170.132 available at http://www.dese.mo.gov/divspeced/Blind/brailleguidelines.html

• State law tells districts to give preferential procurement to publishers who make books available in accessible format- "in either Braille format or electronic format."

• The state department of education has been giving information to districts re: whom to contact at the publishers besides the sales department (whom they normally deal with) to request alternative formats/files of the textbooks

• There is no state clearinghouse with files, but there is a taskforce looking into it

• This taskforce, know as "Taskforce 401" looks at all of these accessibility issues, primarily as they pertain to blind/visually impaired students. The Taskforce surveys and tracks the use of assistive technology (for vision related issues) in the state and provides feedback to the legislature

• There are nine education regions in MO and currently funding through the legislature to have a blind skills specialist in two of the nine regions, serving as a resource for the districts

• The office and the task force are both aware of the IMAA and are waiting to see if that passes. Currently no legislation/initiatives in MO expand the language beyond visual impairments. But if the IMAA passes, MO will comply with the language

• The 401 Taskforce has representation from the School for the Blind, advocates, consumer groups for the blind, etc.

• DOE did sponsor an annual conference looking at all areas of disabilities. They had workshops dealing with accessible formats for students with various special needs so that they could get schools and districts to think about accessibility

• Note: MO also offers a unique program: TAP (Telecommunication Access Program) to provide access to the internet for individuals with various special needs. This is not a school program. MO can provide anyone in MO with an adaptive program to make computers accessible for internet access through i.e. magnification or screen readers for home use. The surcharge (tax) that pays for the relay program for the deaf also provides funding for the state to purchase the equipment for TAP
  

Links and Contacts

Missouri Assistive Technology: http://www.dolir.state.mo.us/matp/DraftItAccessStandardsDoc.htm

Department of Education: http://services.dese.state.mo.us/
Special Education: http://services.dese.state.mo.us/divspeced/

Educational Materials Guidelines: http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divspeced/Blind/literacy.html

Contacts

Roselie Backer, Department of Special Education
Tel. (816) 373-5193
E-mail: roselieb@swbell.net

Julie Ituarte, Blind Services
E-mail: jja353t@smsu.edu

Missouri School for the Blind
Tel. (314) 776.4320

Diane Golden, Executive Director, Missouri Assistive Technology
Tel. (816) 373-5193
E-mail: dcgolden@swbell.net

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