SB 607 Summary

• Adopts the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) to ensure eligible students with disabilities receive instructional materials in accessible formats in a timely manner, in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

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

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

• Requires individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible students to document their status as "eligible persons," identify instructional materials needed in accessible formats, and specify required assistive technology devices and services.

• Repeals outdated Section 302A-442.5 requiring computer diskettes in ASCII format, replacing it with modern accessibility standards aligned with federal law.