Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Translations

The California Department of Education (CDE) Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Translations (CSMT) produces accessible versions of textbooks, workbooks and literature books adopted by the State Board of Education. Products and services are provided pursuant to California law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (Outside Source), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Outside Source), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Outside Source), and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Outside Source).

Production and dissemination of materials include Braille, large print, recordings, and American Sign Language Video-books are funded by California's Instructional Materials. CSMT also assists in providing devices such as monoculars to view the curricula. Funds to purchase specialized books, materials, and equipment are provided by the Instructional Materials Fund (IMF) for qualified students with hearing or vision impairments, severe orthopedic impairments, or other print disabilities.

Resources From CSMT

• Media Guide - Instructional Material Ordering and Distribution System (IMODS)
  Online ordering systems for Braille, Digital Taking Books (DTB), Large Print, AudioBooks, ASL VideoBooks, and APH products.
  • New Account Form (DOC; 30KB; 1p.)
    Must be processed before receiving login password.
• Reimbursement Programs: Information about changes to these programs.
  • Braille Reimbursement Program
  • Low Vision Reimbursement Program
  • California Readers Services for Blind Teachers (RSBT)
• Blind and Low Vision Information
  Definitions, causes, assessment, and resources.
• Digital Talking Books (DTBs) Information
  Definintions and information on DTBs and DAISY Books.
• List Services: Registration forms and information on networking emails:
  Braile-N-Teach (DOC; 27KB; 1p.) for students with visual disabilities.
  Access to the Curriculum (DOC; 122KB: 2pp.) for students with all disabilities.
• Contact CSMT
  Technical assistance for IMODS users and other specialized media questions.
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
  Everything you've always wanted to know about CSMT's products and services.

CDE Programs

• Special Education
  Information and resources to serve the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.
• State Special Schools
  Services for the deaf, blind and hard of hearing students in California.
• California Diagnostic Centers
  Testing to address educational needs of special education students.
• Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division (CFIR)
  To find price list of state-adopted instructional materials, go to instructional materials in each subject area.
• Assistive Technology
  Information on tools for accessing instructional materials.

References

• Related legislation, California Education Codes, federal and, state laws

Resources Outside CDE

• American Printing House for the Blind (APH) (Outside Source)
  Assistive educational products and materials.
• California Transcribers & Educators of the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH) (Outside Source)
  Members share their expertise and resources.
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (Outside Source)
  Audio library for those with print disabilities.
• National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) (Outside Source)
  Electronic textbook files from publishers that are available for download to Authorized Users. 
• Bookshare (Outside Source)
  Accessible books and periodicals for readers with print disabilities.
• California State Library - Braille & Talking Books (Outside Source)
  Borrow Braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment.