Accessible Test

Consumable Number Lines, Large Print

(Completed)
Following the completion of specifications and monitoring of a successful first production run, a production debriefing was held in November 2008. This product had the same issues with the mailer and this has been resolved accordingly.

Cranmer Abacus Hands-On DVD

(Completed)
Technical Research worked with the Project Leader to have the video changed from VHS to DVD. The first production run was monitored into stock July 2009.

CVI Complexity main kit

(Continued)

This will be a kit containing a combination of the Sequencing and Challenges kits listed below.

CVI Complexity Challenges

(Continued)
After several attempts to produce acceptable prototypes for field testing, parts were finalized, successfully produced, and sent out for field testing in December. The field test results were received and reviewed in January. Revisions to the product were completed in February. Work was recently completed on the final content of the materials. There are special vinyl pouches needed as well as a 2-ring binder. Both items will have to be custom-made for this kit. Technical Research previously worked with the Purchasing Department and outside vendors to obtain samples and pricing for these items. The items and pricing will need to be reviewed to assure they are still suitable for use in the kit. Technical Research will need to re-familiarize itself with the current items used in this kit in order to begin specifications. Notes on the project state that the kit will consist of the printed plastic pieces, a custom 2-ring binder, and custom vinyl pouches for storage and presentation. These notes will be reviewed with the Project Leader to be sure they are still accurate. This kit and the Sequencing Kit will be put together with a Print Guide, a Braille Guide, and the Innovations Tote Bag to form a kit. Technical Research will continue to monitor this product and will begin work on product specifications in the near future.

CVI Complexity Sequencing

(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the Graphics Designer, Purchasing, and an outside vendor to obtain tests to demonstrate the output of various printing processes on various materials being considered for use in this project. These items will be kept on file both at APH and at the vendor to use as reference materials for future products that may want to explore various process/materials combinations. Tests on various printing methods were reviewed in November/December. Offset printing directly on plastic had an acceptable quality of printing and was chosen for its economy of production in the quantities expected. Prototype pieces were obtained in January to use for field-testing. Technical Research met with the Project Leader to learn more about the structure of this product in February. The kit will consist of printed plastic pieces, a custom 2-ring binder, and custom vinyl pouches for storage and presentation. This kit and the Challenges kit will be put together with a Print Guide, a Braille Guide, and the Innovations Tote Bag to form a kit.

Denver the Guide Dog DVD

(Completed)
The Discovery Channel granted APH the rights to reproduce and sell this video. Technical Research wrote product specifications and conducted a specification meeting, which was completed within 6 weeks of the releasing of the rights. The first production went into stock in March.

Desktop Food Pyramid, Primary Kit

(New)
The kit includes a wall poster, paper embossed personal-sized food pyramids, and other associated materials. There had been ongoing development and testing with paper types to be used for the embossed Primary Pyramid and Cutouts. The samples printed on various paper weights came out with mixed results. After repeated testing using different combinations of the retooled “Pyramid” plate and stock paper, a satisfactory result was obtained in March 2009. Unfortunately, the “Cutouts” did not fare so well. Samples on all four of paper stocks consistently had breaks and tears. Technical Research discussed the paper “breaking” with a number of production personnel in order to obtain a consensus of possible remedies to the problem. Fifty sheets of material that worked for the Pyramid was obtained from inventory for printing in Large Type, due to production backups, these sheets were not printed until the end of June. The Project Leader had inquired if these would be completed by August so that they would be ready for field-testing at the beginning of the 2010 school year. Technical Research contacted production departments and found that the printing of materials required for field-testing would not be possible. It was then discussed to have both the Pyramid and Cutouts sheets printed by the vendor already prepared to print limited quantities of the two Food Pyramid posters and the Secondary Pyramid on vinyl. Technical Research coordinated the procurement of materials, print files, and created a list of specifications for the vendor. The finished print was received in August 2009. After consultation with the Project Leader, Technical Research worked with production departments in order to get these sheets embossed by September. Production agreed, which should make these kits available for field-testing in October.

Desktop Food Pyramid, Primary (10 Pack)

(New)
Packs of only the embossed personal sized “Pyramids” and “Cutouts” will be offered in sets of ten as a replacement part.

Desktop Food Pyramid, Secondary Kit

(New)
The Secondary Pyramid Kit will be a vacuum-formed version. With the number of colors involved, it has been decided that this product would be offset printed instead of the conventional screen-printing. Before going to press with a large run of the printed sheets, it was decided to ensure the art matched the vacuum-form pattern. This was done via a second vendor, used in the past for limited runs (10 ~ 15 copies) on a flat bed UV ink printing system. Taking this step led to significant delays, due to the vendor inexplicably adjusting the scale of the printed image. After properly scaled sheets were obtained, attempts were made to vacuum-form them. The Model Shop requested more printed sheets because they were unsuccessful in getting the sheets to register to the vacuum-form mold. After some close examination by Technical Research, it was determined that the finished vacuum-form had deviated from the original artwork. The only course of action available was to re-create the print artwork, matching it direct with the now complete vacuum-form. Technical Research scanned the vacuum-form mold in sections, pieced them together, and used the scanned image as an underlayment so the print art could be placed over and then repositioned and thus corrected. An outline copy of the final art was plotted on clear film and placed over the vacuum-form mold to verify that they now matched. After discussions with the Model Shop, it was decided that no further test would be needed off the flat bed printer. The vendor that has offset capability has been contacted about running enough sheets to satisfy the Project Leader needs for field-testing. A quote for the 0.010” white vinyl in the size required for this project has been requested. Technical Research coordinated the procurement of materials, print files, and created a list of specifications for the vendor. The printed sheets had arrived from the printer in August. Technical Research worked with production departments in order to get these sheets vacuum-formed and die-cut by September. Production agreed, which should make these kits available for field-testing in October.