K-12 Educators

Updated Instructions for Obtaining NIMAC Textbooks

Several years ago, Bookshare introduced “One-Step Search” so that you could simultaneously search Bookshare along with National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC). Many of you have become accustomed to seeing the “Request from NIMAC” links in a textbook search.

We were thrilled to provide this service to you for the convenience it afforded. However, due to recent technological changes, the number of books that come up with a “Request from NIMAC” link is now only a subset of the total books available to you in the NIMAC. Therefore, after much consideration and as a last resort, we feel it is in your best interest that we remove this functionality.

You can still get NIMAC books from Bookshare, but the process has changed slightly.

Here are some simple instructions:

  • Search Bookshare for the textbook you need. (Search by ISBN but also by title and author, as Bookshare may have an edition of the book that is very close to the one for which you’re searching, if it doesn’t have the exact one.)
  • If the textbook you need (or a comparable one) is already in Bookshare, you may download it as before, for any Bookshare K-12 student member who has an IEP.
  • If you do not find the book in Bookshare, search the NIMAC.
  • If you find the book you need in the NIMAC, the process to get it through Bookshare depends on whether or not your state has named Bookshare an Authorized User of the NIMAC.
  • If Bookshare is an Authorized User in your state: Please submit a book request with the ISBN, title, and author, and we will be able to obtain this book for you. It takes an average of 10 to 14 days for us to retrieve and convert NIMAC books. We will email you once this book is in the collection.
  • If Bookshare is NOT an Authorized User in your state: Please ask your state’s NIMAC Coordinator to assign the book to Bookshare. It takes an average of 10 to 14 days for us to retrieve and convert NIMAC books once they are assigned to us. We will email you once this book is in the collection.
  • As was the case before, if you don’t find the book in the NIMAC, you can ask Bookshare to purchase and scan the book for you. Please submit a book request with the ISBN, title, and author of the book.

 

Let Reading Come Alive!  Are your students getting books in a timely manner?

Students who are blind or have low vision, students with physical, learning or reading disabilities find it difficult to read printed material. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 requires timely access to accessible materials. Yet students with print disabilities often wait weeks or months before receiving a book in a format they can read.

In an informal survey, 85% of K-12 teachers said that Bookshare helps students with print disabilities keep up with school work. With Bookshare, qualified students are getting timely access to the general curriculum in a format that they can use to help them succeed in school. Bookshare helps you improve the learning experience by offering 24/7 access to:

  • Free memberships for all U.S. students with qualified print disabilities of any age through the support of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
  • Extensive collections of school reading, textbooks and periodicals. 
  • Digital books that are compatible with a variety of assistive technology.
  • And free reader software for Bookshare Members.

Don’t wait! Get started with Bookshare TODAY!

Bookshare News

We’ve got some great resources for teachers:

  • Bookshare Mentors are making a difference one teacher at a time…  They are changing how their schools and districts provide accessible instructional materials to students with print disabilities. Every Mentor is charged with training their fellow teachers on how to download and read Bookshare books for their qualified students.  This year Mentors are competing to win a number of fantastic prizes including an iPad, MP3 players and gift certificates for school supplies.  Mentors are also encouraged to share their classroom strategies and tips through Bookshare on Facebook. Learn more about becoming a Mentor.
  • “Bookshare in Action” is our bi-monthly email newsletter for K-12 teacher Members. Designed specifically to meet the needs of teachers working with students with print disabilities, it is packed with tips for using Bookshare in the classroom.  Every edition features innovative ideas, new programs, training opportunities and popular book lists. When you sign up for Bookshare as a K-12 teacher, you will receive the newsletter automatically.

Good Books

We are constantly increasing the Bookshare library, adding thousands of new books every month. Below are some of the popular collections for K-12 students. If you have recommendations for good books, please post them on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!

Upcoming Events

  • Professional Development Workshops - These workshops are hands-on, on-site and scheduled in advance.  Find out how you can schedule a workshop for your team!  Learn more.

 

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