Who we are:
The AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group was formed to establish a center of expertise that:
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Provides advise and expertise to the AHEAD Board on matters and issues related to Alt-Format and E-Text.
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Leads the AHEAD E-Text Initiative and related efforts for the benefit of the AHEAD membership.
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Collaborates with other constituent and stakeholder groups on matters and issues related to curricular access for students who are unable to access print materials in traditional ways.
Our Mission:
The AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group focuses on policies, procedures, and best practices in providing the accommodation of digital text for those students who have disabilities that limit their ability to access print in standard ways: blindness, visual impairment, learning disability, and certain mobility impairments.
The E-text Solutions Group is committed to finding solutions to the issue of providing students with print disabilities access to books and other media in a manner that is timely and accurate and, as nearly as possible, allows the disabled student to obtain the information needed for his or her education in a manner equivalent to that of non disabled peers.
Our Members:
The membership of the E-Text Solutions Group represents a cross spectrum of individuals who have been involved in the issue of curricular access and Alt Format production for a number of years. It is the intent of AHEAD to insure that all member constituencies are represented to insure a breadth of knowledge and perspective. In doing so several respected "Contributors" have been invited to the effort from other related stakeholder groups.
We are currently looking to expand the membership of the group to other significant stakeholder groups. If you have a recommendation for membership or a group that we should include in the process please contact the Chair of the project Ron Stewart
Update:
A Webinar was hosted by EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) on the current status of the various Alt Format and E-text related efforts in the United Sates. This archive of this Webinar can be viewed on the EASI website.
An update session was held at the AHEAD 2007 conference in Charlotte. Rick Bowes representing the AAP (American Association of Publishers) provided an update on the cooperative agreement that is being developed between the major educational publishers in partnership with the AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group. Here are the slides from Rick's presentation in both PowerPoint and Outline Format.
Look for the next major update in about a month as the AAP moves forward with the strategic planning activities related to the AFSI (Alternate Format Solutions Initiative).
The AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group is starting its third year of activity, and it has been a fast paced and productive time thus far. A great deal has been going on with the development of the efforts and activities of the project and we are looking forward to the initial proposal from the American Association of Publishers (AAP) Alternative Format Solutions Initiative (AFSI).
For the last year our primary activity has been conducting the AHEAD E-Text Training Institute and collecting a variety of resources for the AHEAD membership some of which you will find now added to this resource page. If you have materials you think would be of value to others, or would like more information on the effort, or any off its activities please contact me directly:
The Legal Quagmire of E-Text (an informed layperson's perspective)
One of the most contentious areas involving e-text and alt format production revolves around the issues created by copyright law and obtaining permissions to create the accessible materials needed by our students with print related disabilities. The Chafee Amendment provides some remedies for this complicated topic, but is not typically considered to apply to educational institutions, only to designated "Authorized Entities" such as Bookshare.org, Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the various library services for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Two position papers have been written on this topic, the first was developed by legal advisors to the AAP and presented at the AHEAD 2004 conference. The second was written by the legal Advisors to AHEAD, and was intended to be a direct response to the AAP's position. Between the two they provide us with a good overview of the continuum of legal opinion on this topic, but you really need to consult your institutional legal advisors for their perspective
The AHEAD E-Text Institute
As a part of this initiative AHEAD is delivering a two day E-Text Institute across North America. This training is based on Best Practices that have been identified from a national overview of activities currently undergoing within AHEAD member institutions. We would like to take the opportunity to thank the sponsors who have made this wonderful opportunity available to the AHEAD membership. If you would like more information about this wonderful opportunity please contact Ron Stewart or AHEAD-Quarters.
Scheduled Training Opportunities:
Eastern North Carolina Dec 6th - 7th, Wayne Community College, Goldsboro North Carolina
MO-AHEAD - Feb 20-21st, Kansas City Kansas Community College
Las Vegas Nevada - April 10-11th, Universty of Nevada Las Vegas
AL-AHEAD - April 24-25th, Auburn University, Montgomery Alabama
NJ-AHEAD, June 4-5th, College of New Jersey, Ewing New Jersey
AHEAD National Conference, July 14-15th, Reno Nevada
Institute Materials
The following training materials are from the standardized curriculum for the AHEAD E-Text Institutes.
Other Related Resources from our Members
If you have resources that you would like to share with the membership please send them in. Once they have been reviewed by the E-Text Solutions Group the will be added to the collection. If you use these materials and reproduce them please remember to credit the source.
Operational Manuals
Forms
Procedural Documents
NIMAS Resources:
E-Text Resources:
Promising Practices in E-Text Laws:
Other Related Resources
E-Text Humor (for those days when beating your head against the wall isn't working)
Sponsors of the AHEAD E-Text Initiative
AHEAD Member E-Text Sites
Partner Organizations
For more information about the AHEAD E-Text Initiative Contact:
Ron Stewart, Chair
AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group
231 Clarksville Rd Suite 3
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
Phone: (609) 213-2190
Fax: 609) 799-0475
E-Mail: ron@ahead.org
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