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STEPP: The Student E-rent Pilot Project

AMAC, in partnership with CourseSmart and the AccessText Network (ATN), has an innovative, eTextbook rental program entitled STEPP: STudent E-rent Pilot Project. The program is unique in that its textbook offerings are modified for accessibility to comply with Section 504 requirements under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For the first time, students with disabilities will enjoy the benefits of significant cost savings inherent in a textbook rental program, as STEPP provides universally accessible eTextbook files for best-selling textbook titles.

Goals

1. To save students an average of 50% off the retail cost for purchasing textbooks;
2. To provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in textbook rental programs and experience cost savings;
3. To develop and demonstrate a viable business model for rendering eTextbooks for rent, which are universally accessible to all;
4. To create awareness of the availability of universally accessible eTextbooks for rent;
5. To increase knowledge and awareness of the need for and the profitability of providing universally accessible eTextbooks, amongst all players in the marketplace.

Documents

• Grant Narrative (PDF)

• Press Release (PDF)

• Evaluation Plan (PDF)‎

• STEPP Survey Results - One Page Summary (PDF)

• STEPP Survey Results - Full Report (PDF)

• STEPP Fact Sheet for Students (PDF)

• STEPP Fact Sheet for DSP's (PDF)

• STEPP Fact Sheet for VR Counselors (PDF)

Advisory Panel

Meeting Info

• March 24-25, 2011 Meeting
• July 26, 2011 Meeting
• November 4, 2011 Meeting
• April 4, 2012 Meeting

Travel Info

• Travel Guidelines (PDF)
• Travel Expense Statement Sample (PDF)

Note: The actual travel expense form is an Excel spreadsheet. Panel members will be emailed a copy of the form.

 

Panel Members

Name	Association
Tom Hadfield	General Manager Product Platforms, Teachscape
Angela Hernandez	Student, Clayton State University
Richard Hershman	Director of Government Relations, National Association of College Stores
Fred Kleiner	Author/Professor, Boston University; Secretary, Text and Academic Authors Association
Patrice Morin-Spatz	Author/President of MedBooks, Inc.
Steve Noble	Chair, National Technology Task Force - Learning Disabilities Association of America
Jade Roth	Vice President - Books and Digital Strategy, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers
Michael Solomon	Author/Professor of Marketing, Saint Joseph's University
Michael Southern	Program Director - Disability Services Office, University of Cincinnati
Michael Spiegler	Professor/Author, Department of Psychology, Providence College; Executive Council Member, Text and Academic Authors Association
Todd Summer	Director, Campus Stores Division, San Diego State University
Isaiah Wilcox	Georgia Association of Blind Students, Morehouse College