- Member States Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Our overall goal is to offer support to our schools in providing appropriate accessible instructional materials to students with disabilities. To accomplish this goal, we will offer professional development on the use of accessible materials, specifically on assessing students’ needs, obtaining accessible instructional materials, and using these materials effectively to promote student success. We are working to streamline our processes for accessing materials available through state and federally funded entities. We are also investigating ways to collect data on the use of accessible materials by students with disabilities, as well as the timeliness of the delivery of these materials.
AIM State Project Director
Susan Hargrave
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
Voice: 781-338-6844
Fax: 781-338-6850
shargrave@doe.mass.eduTextbook Acquisition
Massachusetts is an “open territory” state with no centralized textbook acquisition. The selection and purchase of textbooks and instructional materials is a local district activity.
Policy Positions & Documents
Current Laws
Massachusetts General Law (http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/15-15b.htm)
Chapter 15: Section 15B. “Establishes a library center for visually-handicapped children.”
Proposed Laws
There are no proposed laws at this time.
Coordinate with the NIMAC?
Yes. NIMAC Authorized User(s): Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials Library http://www.mavisionlib.org/
Definition of Timely Manner
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to provide instructional materials to blind persons or other persons with print disabilities in a timely manner. This means that districts must take all reasonable steps to provide print instructional materials in accessible formats to children with disabilities at the same time as other children receive those materials.
Parent Information & Advocacy Resources
Federation for Children with Special Needs
1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420
Boston, MA 02120
Phone: 617-236-7210
800-331-0688 (in MA)
Email: fcsninfo@fcsn.org
Web: http://fcsn.orgWeb Links
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
http://www.doe.mass.edu/
Special Education
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/
Assistive Technology
http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/assistive/
NIMAS Information
http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/assistive/nimas.html
MassMATCH (State AT Act program)
http://www.massmatch.org/
