Portal:Compliance Unit
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Applicable Laws and Standards
The services provided by the Alternative Media Access Center ensure the opportunity for all University System of Georgia institutions and entities to comply with laws and regulations regarding services to students with print-related disabilities. Centralizing these services through AMAC ensures cost effective compliance. AMAC believes that by making the fulfillment of legal requirements an efficient and accessible process, it helps to lessen resistance to breaking down barriers that remain for individuals with special needs. As laws change, as new standards are developed, AMAC will revise the services it offers in order to ensure compliance opportunities.
Among the laws and standards governing access to knowledge for individuals with print-related disabilities are Rehabilitation Act, The Chafee Amendment, civil rights law and The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Rehabilitation Act (1973), Section 508 (1998), requires federal agencies and contractors to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. The Act is intended to eliminate barriers in information technology and make available new opportunities for people with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act encourages the development of technologies that will give individuals with disabilities access to information that is comparable to the access available to other members of the public.
Under The Chafee Amendment (1996) non-profit or government agencies may provide alternative accessible copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats exclusively for use by blind persons or other persons with disabilities. It provides for easier and timelier access to materials based on published books, but allows for replication only on an as needed basis.
AMAC supports the protection of institutions against copyright infringement laws. For additional information on pivotal Office of Civil Rights Rulings see The California State University, Fullerton (2004) discussion of appropriate formats and timeliness of provisions. Additional information can be found at OCR Decisions.
AMAC will work with the American Association of Publishers and individual publishers to develop an instructional materials accessibility standard.
Compliance
AMAC is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality and most efficient and proficient service to its users. To that end, AMAC has a comprehensive system of checks and balances to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations as well as ensuring that the materials, as well as the customer service, meet the highest standards. As a quality control mechanism, the Compliance Manager will randomly select texts for review. Further, Disability Service Providers and students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of surveys designed to solicit feedback regarding their experiences with AMAC as well as providing input into AMAC’s future endeavors. Also, both students and DSP’s may occasionally be contacted via email or telephone to ensure that their specific needs are being met. Finally, a feedback link has been added to the AMAC web site so that users may provide their input and concerns directly to the Compliance Manager via email. The AMAC team hopes that all of these measures will ensure the highest quality materials and customer service for all of its customers.
Personnel
Compliance Manager
The Alternative Media Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring that AMAC is providing quality services to students and Disability Service Providers, and that AMAC is in compliance with disability law and copyright infringement law.
The Alternative Media Compliance Manager, in conjunction with the Director, manages all organizational units of the Alternative Media Access Center. This position is responsible for management support and decision making for the project in the absence of the Director. This position also is charged with serving and being responsible for daily operations and tasks in the absence of a unit supervisor.
The Compliance Manager will be responsible for the evaluation of all production and Assistive Computer Technology Unit services. In accordance with the AMAC Customer Service Initiative Plan (CSIP), this position will be responsible for performing random spot checks of production media files, training materials, web-site and technical assistance services. This position will work with the CSIP champion to ensure AMAC is providing high quality and timely services.
The Alternative Media Compliance Manager will also work to ensure compliance with copyright policies, and advise the Director on legal affairs affecting post-secondary institutions and disability law. This position will work in conjunction with legal departments at the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, and with AMAC’s lead agency legal department (i.e. The University of Georgia).
Duties
- Manage AMAC organizational units.
- Evaluate AMAC organizational units on monthly basis. Monthly reports should be submitted to the Director.
- Represent AMAC regarding legal questions about Alternative Media and Assistive Technology, and in the area of legal requirements for copyright compliance.
- Work with the AMAC Director on the development and oversight of an annual budget for the Alternative Media, Assistive Technology and Braille units.
- Ensure compliance with the Board of Regents Customer Service Initiative Plan (CSIP).
- Work with the Director to develop and implement policies and procedures.
- Perform strategic and technical planning for Alternative Media, Assistive Technology and Braille units.
- Manage contracts specified by the Director.
- Represent AMAC at local and national conferences and on committees.
- Represent AMAC/USG on national publisher committees.
- Provide technical expertise for the pursuance of grants.
- Provide input and guidance to the AMAC Research Unit.
Assignment, Review and Approval of Work
The Alternative Media Compliance Manager receives assignments from the Director of the AMAC project. The work assignments will be reviewed and approved by the AMAC Director.
