What services does the ATPC provide?

The ATPC was designed to assist the California Community Colleges in meeting the alternate text needs of their students with print-related disabilities. Alternate text includes Braille and tactile graphics, electronic text. All ATPC services are performed at no charge to California Community Colleges.

How are ATPC policies developed?

The ATPC works with its Advisory Committee, which consists of representatives from each of the 10 California Community College regions, and representatives of other interested and related organizations. The goal of the policies is to provide a framework for the delivery of service. As the policies are tested in practice, they will be reviewed and modified to provide better service.

How does a college place an order?

The basic steps are to gather the order information and then to submit the order via the ATPC's on-line Request Form. For Braille and formatted e-text requests, send the ATPC a copy of the book and the class syllabus, or an equivalent schedule which gives the dates when the instructional material will be covered.

When does the ATPC need a copy of the book and class syllabus?

Braille transcribers must refer to the printed book for accurate transcription. Having the syllabus allows the ATPC to handle more jobs simultaneously by spreading out production over time. For electronic text, staff needs the printed book to compare and format the publishers’ files or to produce the e-text by scanning and OCR. If a school does not wish to send a hardcopy of a book for an electronic text request, the ATPC will supply files as they are received from the publisher, without additional formatting.

How does AB 422 affect the California Community Colleges?

California Assembly Bill 422, which became effective in January 2000, requires textbook publishers to supply California Colleges with the electronic files of their books at no cost, when requested for students with print-related disabilities. It encourages California Colleges to create a central repository of electronic files so the publisher can fill a request only once, and that file will be redistributed to any California College student with a print-related disability who needs it.

Should California Community Colleges still produce their own alternate media?

The California Community Colleges should not consider the ATPC the sole provider of alternate text, but a resource. Colleges should continue to develop their capacities to scan material and perform OCR, to use Braille software, and to do Braille embossing.

Does the ATPC offer services to other institutions?

At this time, the ATPC does offer Braille services to other institutions. Please see our fee for service page.