RFB&D and AIM-VA
RFB&D and AIM-VA have created a collaborative partnership to offer greater access to instructional materials. All schools in Virginia have access to the full RFB&D catalog through a new 'mega membership'.
As an educator, you have the capability of bringing a powerful tool like RFB&D's audiobooks into your classroom to help students who have difficulty reading because of a print disability. Students who have access to RFB&D and listen to audiobooks either alone, or while following along in the printed book, report greater educational success and feel better about themselves because they can keep up with their peers.
Some LEAs in Virginia have enjoyed a long wonderful relationship with RFB&D. This relationship will continue with the benefit of having all accessible instructional material formats, including audio books produced by RFB&D, available for order through one location, AIM-VA.
To order materials produced by RFB&D, please use the AIM-VA database or complete the "Book Request" form when no records are found. An FRB&D Librarian will conduct a search for you in the RFB&D's Book Catalog and immediately request materials from RFB&D on your behalf.
If you are familiar with the RFB&D catalog and know the following Information, please note this on the Book Request for our Librarian:
- RFB&D Product Code
- Title
- ISBN Number
- Publisher
LEA's may order the RFB&D materials through the Digital Rights Manager appointed by the Superintendent or administrator of your LEA.
Serving 504 Plan Students
The Virginia Department of Education’s AIM-VA program serves your IEP students, but does not serve 504 Plan students. It has been our experience working with schools in Virginia that many of you have both types of students attending school. RFB&D can assist your school in serving 504 Plan students with either an RFB&D institutional or individual membership.
If you have an existing RFB&D membership, you can continue to serve your 504 Plan students. You can simply place book orders directly with RFB&D either through our website https://custhub.rfbd.org/ or by calling Member Services at 800-221-4792.
If your RFB&D membership needs to be renewed , please call Cheryl Thomas at RFB&D 804-350-6606 or email her at cthomas@rfbd.org to learn about your membership renewal options. Your present membership level may not need to be of the same size as in the past so please contact us with the number of 504 Plan students to be served along with the anticipated number of books required – we will be happy to help you decide on the best membership level to meet your school’s needs.
If your school is not presently a member, the process for acquiring an RFB&D membership is easy. To find out more about becoming a member, please go to our website at http://www.rfbd.org/membership_2.htm which will give you information about membership levels and provide a convenient application for download.
To address any questions you may have about membership, contact Cheryl Thomas at (804) 350-6606 or by email cthomas@rfbd.org .
RFB&D Book Return
Effective January 1, 2009, RFB&D members will no longer need to return AudioPlus CDs during or at the end of their membership year. We are instituting this new policy in an effort to simplify book management and reduce production costs.
Per US Copyright laws, RFB&D AudioPlus CDs can not be transferred to or shared with any person who is not an Individual member, or has not been certified and receiving services under an Institutional membership. Please destroy any RFB&D AudioPlus CDs the students will no longer be using. If you have the ability to shred and recycle the material, please take advantage of this eco-friendly resource.
RFB&D’s AudioAccessSM Downloadable Books
RFB&D has recently added a new option on how to receive audio textbooks. AudioAccess was introduced in the summer of 2008 and provides the option for members to download content directly from RFB&D in a format that is directly playable on Microsoft Windows® Media Player. This Windows Media file (WMA-DRM) is licensed for use from the RFB&D customer website. In order to utilize this service, a school needs a unique RFB&D membership and customer online account
AudioAccess files are not currently available from RFB&D through the AIMVA catalog. So all orders placed through AIM-VA will be delivered to you as RFB&D’s AudioPlus® CDs.
Unlike AudioPlus CD’s which are in Daisy format, AudioAccess downloadable files play on Windows based personal computers (without any need for specialized software) and can optionally be synched to compatible portable media players. When a non-Daisy format will be acceptable to your students, AudioAccess can provide added accessibility and portability while using your present investment in Windows based PCs.
To use AudioAccess, you will need to create a separate membership with RFB&D for your school. AudioAccess can also be a valuable alternative for students who would want to pursue an individual membership with RFB&D as well.
If you presently have a separate membership with RFB&D, you can begin accessing the library. Please remember that if you are ordering for your IEP qualified students, the AIM-VA project requires you to order materials through the www.aimva.org website. For your 504 Plan students, you can start downloading books once you have created a Customer online account. To begin this process, simply go to https://custhub.rfbd.org/ to create an account.
If your school is not presently a member, the process for acquiring an RFB&D membership is easy. To find out more about becoming a member, please go to our website at http://www.rfbd.org/membership_2.htm which will give you information about membership levels and provide a convenient application for download.
To address any questions you may have about membership, contact Cheryl Thomas at (804) 350-6606 or by email cthomas@rfbd.org.