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. Products and services are provided pursuant to California law,
No
Child Left Behind (NCLB)
, the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
, the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA)
, and Sections
504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
.
Production and dissemination of materials include braille, large print, recordings, and American Sign Language Video-books are funded by California's Instructional Materials Fund (IMF). CSMT also assists in providing devices such as monoculars to view the curricula. Funds to purchase specialized books, materials, and equipment are provided by the IMF for qualified students with hearing or vision impairments, severe orthopedic impairments, or other print disabilities.
Resources From CSMT
- Media
Guide - Instructional Material Ordering and Distribution System
(IMODS)
Online ordering systems for Braille, Digital Talking Books (DTB), Large Print, AudioBooks, ASL VideoBooks, and APH products.- New Account Form (PDF)
Must be processed before receiving login password.
- New Account Form (PDF)
- Annual Registration of Legally Blind Students
American Printing House for the Blind Student Registration Packet for 2011-2012 (New 28-Dec-2011; PDF) - Reimbursement Programs
The passage of Senate Bill 4 of the 2009–10 Third Extraordinary Session (SBX3 4) (Chapter 12, Statutes of 2009) allows flexibility of unrestricted funds to be used as the local educational agency (LEA) feels are needed to provide education to students attending their schools, including direct payment for the services and materials provided by these programs. Reimbursements from the CSMT are no longer available. Information on the flexibility measure may be accessed at: Fiscal Issue relating to Budget Reductions and Flexibility Provisions. - Blind and Low Vision Information
Definitions, causes, assessment, and resources. - Production of Large Print Materials, Guidelines
High School Districts, grades (9) through (12), are now faced with providing large print instructional materials without the reimbursement program previously offered by the Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Translations. These districts are encouraged to follow the industry standard guidelines now used by the larger print vendors under contract to the CSMT, to produce large print materials. - Digital Talking Books (DTBs) Information
Definintions and information on DTBs and DAISY Books. - List Services: Registration forms and information on networking emails:
Braile-N-Teach (DOC) for students with visual disabilities.
Access to the Curriculum (DOC) for students with all disabilities. - Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Translations - CalEdFacts
- Contact CSMT
Technical assistance for IMODS users and other specialized media questions. - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Everything you've always wanted to know about CSMT's products and services.
CDE Programs
- Special Education
Information and resources to serve the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. - State Special Schools
Services for the deaf, blind and hard of hearing students in California. - California Diagnostic Centers
Testing to address educational needs of special education students. - Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division (CFIRD)
To find price list of state-adopted instructional materials, go to instructional materials in each subject area.
References
Resources Outside CDE
- American
Printing House for the Blind (APH)
Assistive educational products and materials. - California
Transcribers and Educators for the blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI)
Members share their expertise and resources. - Recording for
the Blind & Dyslexic
Audio library for those with print disabilities. - National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC)
Electronic textbook files from publishers that are available for download to Authorized Users. - Bookshare
Accessible books and periodicals for readers with print disabilities. - California State Library - Braille & Talking Books
Borrow Braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment. - Assistive Technolgoy
Assistive Technology...Tools for Living.
