[A2k] [US] Publishers Lead National Effort to Better Serve Students with Disabilities

[Robert Martinengo]

AccessText Network, Created in Collaboration with the University
System of Georgia, Will Improve Student Access to College Textbook
Content

December 3, 2008 -- The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today
announced its agreement with the Alternative Media Access Center
(AMAC), an initiative of the Georgia Board of Regents and the
University of Georgia, to develop and launch the AccessText Network, a
comprehensive, national online system that will make it easier and
quicker for students with print-related disabilities, such as
blindness, to obtain the textbooks they need for their college
courses.

"Many college students with disabilities are struggling to use
required or recommended print textbooks that are essential to their
course success.  The new AccessText Network will improve the way
electronic versions of print textbooks are delivered to campus-based
disability student service (DSS) offices from publishers and
streamline the permission process for scanning copies of print
textbooks when publisher files are unavailable.  By improving the
efficiencies of our present process, AccessText will facilitate
quicker access to content for more students," said Patricia Schroeder,
AAP's president and chief executive officer.

[... more ...]  http://www.mmdnewswire.com/students-with-disabilities-4260.html