SB 607 Summary

• Adopts the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) to ensure eligible students receive instructional materials in accessible formats in a timely manner.

• Requires publishers of textbooks and instructional materials sold to Hawaii schools to furnish materials in accessible formats or provide electronic files in NIMAS format to the National Instructional Materials Access Center.

• Mandates all elementary schools, secondary schools, and alternative educational programs provide eligible students with accessible instructional materials and necessary assistive technology devices and services simultaneously with print materials provided to other students.

• Requires individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible students to document accessible format needs, identify required assistive technology, include braille materials when appropriate, and ensure technology access across school, home, and other settings.

• Repeals obsolete section 302A-442.5 requiring computer diskettes in ASCII format and takes effect upon approval.