Acquisition Flow Chart
Step 1: Determine if the student require accessible
instructional materials (AIM)?
I. If no, no further action is required.
II. If Yes, is the Student eligible under IDEA &/or Copyright Act of 1931 as
amended?
i. If no, the materials must be obtained from the publisher or other
commercial source or produced with copyright permission
ii. If yes, obtain certification of eligibility if no already on file
i. Document the need for AIM
ii. Determine format required
Step 2: Acquisition Options
I. Request a Book Search at:
a. http://www.cenmi.org/mits or
b. http://www.cenmi.org/mde-lio
II.
Check availability at national accessible media producers (AMP)

Bookshare.org - www.bookshare.org

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) – www.rfbd.org

American Printing House for the Blind (APH) – www.aph.org
a. If available at one of the AMPs, complete the necessary paperwork to initiate
the request.
b. If not available, request a book search from MITS or MDE-LIO or, if student
is eligible for NIMAS files, search the NIMAC repository (http://nimac.us/)
III.
Search NIMAC website to determine availability of NIMAS file
(if student qualifies)
a. If not in the NIMAC, review contract language with publisher ensure
contractual obligation
i. If present, contract the NIMAC to check status
ii. If not present, contact the publisher to request the NIMAS file be
uploaded to the NIMAC (be sure to include NIMAS contract
language in all purchasing contracts)
b. If available in the NIMAC, copy the identifier and provide to authorized user.
IV.
MITS and MDE-LIO Requests
To request materials, go to:
a. http://www.cenmi.org/mits or
b. http://www.cenmi.org/mde-lio
note: districts may incur costs in the conversion and production of AIM
Braille or Large Print Requests:
i. Produced or acquired through MDE-LIO
ii. Districts to complete appropriate forms
iii. Requested format delivered
Digital or Audio Format Requests:
i. Assigned to AMP of districts choice by authorized user at MITS or
MDE-LIO
a. AMP notified of request
b. District completes necessary paperwork
c. AMP notifies district when student-ready file is available for
download
d. District downloads and verifies accuracy of the file
e. District delivers accessible file to the eligible student
ii. Request to have MITS or MDE-LIO Convert to html or rtf format
a. District completes forms and agrees to assurance statements
b. Conversion delivered to district
c. District verifies accuracy
d. District delivers accessible file to the eligible student
V.
If accessible instructional materials are not available from the
NIMAC or an AMP:
a. Check availability directly from the publisher
b. Search commercial options
c. Create (under Chafee Amendment if eligible or with publisher permission)
Acronyms:
AIM

Accessible Instructional Materials
AMP

Accessible Media Producer (creates specialized format)
APH

American Printing House for the Blind
IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
NIMAC

National Instructional Materials Access Center
NIMAS

National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard
RFB&D

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
If questions please contact:
Jeff Diedrich
jeff.diedrich@gmail.com
or
Collette Bauman
baumanc@michigan.gov
810.760.2736
10/2009