UTAH STATE INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS ACCESS CENTER
U.S.I.M.A.C
PREFERRED BRAILLE NETWORK
WEBINAR (P.B.N.)
By Hollie Murdock, USIMAC/ERC Director
USIMAC - Overview

NIMAS…NIMAC…USIMAC

Founded January 2009

Our Vision: To provide accessible educational
materials to ALL print disabled students within a
timely manner.

Timely Manner = The same time as non-print disabled
peers
USIMAC – Production Team

Current Staff:
 Director
 Executive
Assistant
 2 Customer Service Reps
 6 Braille Transcriber/Editors
 2 Proofreaders
 4 Proofreader Aides
 2 Alternate Format Techs
 1 Tactile Graphics Specialist
 1 Shipping-Receiving/Inventory Specialist
USIMAC – Available Formats

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
 Braille
 Embossed
materials
 BRF
files
 Tactile graphics
 Large
Print
 Digital Text
 PDF
 Fillable
 Audio
files
 Daisy
 MP3
PDF (for workbooks, tests, etc)
USIMAC – How to become a PBN

Complete the Library of Congress (LOC) braille
certification course




Send an email to pbn@usimac.org expressing interest
Email your completion certificate to pbn@usimac.org
Complete the USIMAC PBN test and return to
pbn@usimac.org



https://nfb.org/braille-transcribing
You must receive a score of 90% or higher.
Provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license and social
security card
A State of Utah vendor ID will be issued upon completion
of the above steps.
USIMAC – Submitting bids
Notifications will be sent out annually
 Watch for an email and mail notification every
January

USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work
Example email:
“The following project is available for transcription from USIMAC:

Please accept or decline this offer within 48 hours to
pbn@usimac.org
Title: I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and
Changed the World
Level: Literary EBAE Level 2 – No Graphics
USIMAC No.: SO8459
Print Pages: 265
Estimated Braille pages: 795
The deadline is 14 days after receipt of Purchase Order”
USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work

Example email:
“Thank you. State Purchasing has been notified of
your acceptance of the project. You will be
notified once the final purchase order has been
approved. ”
USIMAC – Awarding/Accepting Work
Example email:
“The State of Utah has approved your bid for “I am
Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and
Changed the World. USIMAC No.: SO8458”

Attached is your approved State Purchase Order PO1063
and the State of Utah Purchase Order Standard Terms and
Conditions for Goods. A copy of the Terms and Conditions
may also be obtained at http://www.purchasing.Utah.gov
Also attached are the Agency Guidelines for USIMAC Braille
Projects, Agency Title Page Template, and the USIMAC Fact
Sheet.”
USIMAC – Agency Guidelines

Please read through the agency guidelines
carefully!

No extra spaces for graphics

Use USIMAC formatted Title page

A copy will be placed on the website under the
“Preferred Braille Network” tab
USIMAC – Title Page/Proofreading
Please include a completed title page with each
volume.
 Proofreader’s name must be included on the title
page.

 Proofreading
must now be completed prior to first
submission
 Proofreader notes are required from PBN
 Rates may increase as needed to compensate for
proofreading services.

Please transcribe the printing history information
on the versa page.
USIMAC – Existing Projects


Once you receive the above documents you will be
assigned an Editor.
All correspondence with your Editor must be via
email to pbn@usimac.org and cc’d to your Editor.
 Upon
receipt of your purchase order, confirm with your
Editor within 48 hours


Your Editor can answer questions regarding the
transcription part of the project.
Any payment or contract questions including
deadlines, please email pbn@usimac.org
USIMAC – Receiving Payment


Email all completed information to pbn@usimac.org
Include the following:



Number of volumes
Page count per volume
You will receive a confirmation email similar to this example:
You are authorized for payment of 312 braille pages for a total of
$374.40
Volume 1
96 Braille Pages
$115.20
Volume 2
87 Braille Pages
$104.40
Volume 3
129 Braille Pages
$154.80
USIMAC – Receiving Payment

Electronic Funds Transfer




Moving forward everyone is
required to be set up to receive
payment via EFT
No paper checks will be mailed
after March 1st.
Teresa will email you the form
once your bid submission is
received this year.
EFT Forms will be included in all
new PBN packets
USIMAC – Website/Add’l Info

www.usimac.org

Information about each format

Training
USIMAC - Braille

EBAE vs UEB

Nemeth vs UEB Math

http://www.brailleauthority.org

Click on “Find out about Unified English Braille (UEB)

Click on Nemeth-UEB Provisional Guidance
USIMAC – Braille / Tactile Graphics
USIMAC – Braille / Tactile Graphics
Contacts / Questions

Contacts
 New
Contracts / Bids
 Mandy
 Existing
 Amy
Kay: pbn@usimac.org; 801-629-4706
Contracts
Young: pbn@usimac.org; 801-629-4783
 Invoices
 Teresa
Patterson: pbn@usimac.org; 801-629-4795
 Website
 www.usimac.org