Products and services are provided pursuant to California law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (Outside Source), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Outside Source), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Outside Source), and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Outside Source). Materials include Braille, large print, recordings, and American Sign Language VideoBooks. Production and dissemination of Braille, large print, recordings, and ASL VideoBooks are funded by California's Instructional Materials Fund. The California Department of Education (CDE) Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Translations (CSMT) produces accessible versions of textbooks, workbooks, and literature books adopted by the State Board of Education.
California provides Low Incidence Funds to purchase specialized books, materials, and equipment as required under the individualized education program (IEP) for each pupil with hearing impairments, vision impairments, severe orthopedic impairments, or any combination thereof.
Resources From CDE
Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Translations
- Media
Guide - Instructional Material Ordering and Distribution System
(IMODS)
Online ordering systems for Braille, Large Print, AudioBooks, ASL VideoBooks, and APH products.- New Account Form (DOC; 54KB; 2pp.)
Must be processed before receiving login password.
- New Account Form (DOC; 54KB; 2pp.)
- California's Reader Services for Blind
Teachers (RSBT)
This program enables agencies to employ persons to serve as readers to teachers who are legally blind. - Braille Reimbursement
Program
Application form required to participate in this program. - Low Vision Information
Definitions, causes, assessment, and resources. - Low Vision Reimbursement Program
Program information and forms. - Contact CSMT
Technical assistance for IMODS users and other specialized media questions.
Other CDE Programs
- Assistive
Technology
Information on tools for accessing instructional materials. - State Special Schools
Services for the deaf, blind and hard of hearing students in California. - Price Lists
of K-8 Adopted Instructional Materials
Search for instructional materials adopted by the State Board of Education. Also contains ordering information, and lists of programs by publisher. - Special Education
Information and resources to serve the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. - California's Statewide
Testing Programs
Information regarding the development, coordination and implementation of California's statewide testing programs. - California School Directory
Search for public and private schools, and school districts.
Resources Outside CDE
- American
Printing House for the Blind (APH) (Outside Source)
Adapted educational products - CTEVH - California
Transcribers & Educators of the Visually Handicapped (Outside Source)
Support and resources. - California
State Library - Braille & Talking Books (Outside Source)
Borrow Braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment. - Recording for
the Blind & Dyslexic (Outside Source)
Educational library for those with print disabilities.
