Accessible Book Collection – Information for the Primary Contact MCPS recently spent some ARRA funds to purchase resources that would support the implementation of Universal Design for Learning. A portion of those funds were spent on a subscription to the Accessible Book Collection through June 30, 2015 for all MCPS elementary schools. Accessible Book Collection (ABC) is a repository of digital books for students who need access to a text reader. Students are eligible if they have “print disabilities.” About 1000 books are available for download. You download the books from the ABC website: www.accessiblebookcollection.org. A link to this website can be found in the Copyrighted Text folder in Student Shared on your school server. All staff in the school will use the same username and password. The username and password is available from your school Resource Teacher or by calling HIAT at 301‐657‐4959. While any staff member may download a book for an eligible student, a special educator must be involved in the determination of eligibility. For this reason, it makes sense for a resource teacher to be the primary contact for your school’s account. However, if your school already has a primary contact for Bookshare, then it may make sense for the same person to be the contact for ABC. How is ABC related to Bookshare? ABC and Bookshare are two separate organizations. They both operate under the authority of the same law that allows students with print disabilities to obtain books in a digital format. Bookshare is free while ABC has a yearly subscription fee. Bookshare provides books that are generally more appropriate for students in the upper elementary grades and beyond, and the books are generally text only. ABC provides books that are appropriate for all grades, and the books include pictures. What you need to do Determine if you are the right person to be the primary contact. If not, review this information with your school’s administration and decide who is best to take on this role. The primary contact will have the opportunity to earn 3 E‐TIPS hours each school year for fulfilling this role. What the primary contact needs to do 1. Email Kathleen Hamm in the HIAT office with your name and school. Let her know if you are the primary contact for Bookshare as well. Your name will be on county‐wide list of primary contacts. 2. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from ABC at www.accessiblebookcollection.org. On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see the “Newsletter Sign‐up.” Each month, you’ll receive an email listing the newest books. 3. Understand the eligibility criteria and your role in helping teams to determine which students are eligible. You may choose to: • Read about who qualifies: http://www.bookshare.org/_/membership/qualifications • Attend the Webinar titled Bookshare Beginner: Eligibility and downloading books on 9/21 at 3:30. (Eligibility for Bookshare is the same as for ABC). Sign up on the PDO. Quick Start Guide – ABC.org: Primary Contact
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It is the school's responsibility to maintain a copy of a completed eligibility application or the equivalent for each eligible student. Since Bookshare and ABC have the same eligibility criteria, you may use the same list for both services. Unlike Bookshare, you do not need to fax any forms to ABC. Provide this list of eligible students to your school’s ITSS who will then ensure that these students can access the copyrighted text folder. Tell your staff that your school has access to this resource. You can share the resources on the HIAT website to help staff get started If your school does not already have a Bookshare account, you should explore the best way to sign up for one at your school. Learn more about Bookshare on the HIAT website. Troubleshooting For questions about… Contact… • The uses of digital text • The Copyrighted Text folder • Student eligibility • Help downloading books • Bookshare HIAT 301‐657‐4959 or email Kathleen Hamm •
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The selection of titles available The functionality of the website ABC.org 703‐631‐1585 customerservice@accessiblebookcollecti
on.org Quick Start Guide – ABC.org: Primary Contact
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