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May, 2010
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AIM Explorer - a free resource for educators, parents, and students
Currently, struggling readers use trial and error to figure out which accessibility features best help them access and understand text.
The AIM Explorer is a free computer-based simulation that helps readers with low vision, physical challenges, and learning and attention difficulties decide which reading access features (e.g., magnification, custom text & background colors, text-to-speech, text highlighting, layout options) found in the most commonly available text readers and reading software will help them access and understand text.
Armed with downloadable reports of identified preferences, students can then find the products that match their preferences using the AIM Product Features Chart, also available on the AIM Center website.
Try the AIM Explorer and review the AIM Products Features Chart. Tell us what you think: email us at aim@cast.org
Stay Tuned: These resources are part of a suite of products and services brought to you through the work of the 15-state AIM Consortium. |
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Share your ideas and insights
This month we are featuring the video short, Isabel's Story: Against All Odds on the AIM Center Facebook page. Become a fan and share your thoughts. The AIM Center wants to hear from you. Through the Collaborate section of the AIM website you will find ways to share what you are learning about AIM with each other as well as ways to make meaning from the wealth of information and tools on the website.
Follow AIM on Twitter to receive information on upcoming AIM webinars, updates to the AIM web
site, and highlights from AIM in the field.
Coming Soon: The Collaborate section of the website will host ongoing topical discusions and a searchable Wiki knowledge base to extend the reach and impact of our work together. |
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A User's Guide to Federally Funded Accessible Media Producers (AMPs)
Did you know that there are now over 130 accessible media producers registered with the NIMAC (National Instructional Materials Access Center) and authorized to produce alternate formats of print instructional materials? Each offers a distinct set of services. The User's Guide to Federally Funded Accessible Media Producers summarizes the services and eligibility requirements for the three national AMPs who receive federal funding through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Bookshare, and Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D).
Stay Tuned: These resources are part of a suite of products and services brought to you through the work of the 15-state AIM Consortium. |
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STAY CONNECTED
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Meet the AIM Center Team |
Isabel Arathoon, AIM Center Intern  | | | Isa Arathoon hails from Guatemala and is an intern at CAST this year. She is part of our AIM Center film team, creating video shorts of her experiences - both positive and not-so-positive - as an ELL student with learning disabilities. She has overcome incredible challenges in her academic journey and has just graduated from Lesley University with a 3.8 GPA! She is passionate about helping others just like herself and we are delighted to have her on our team. Learn more about Isa's story as told in her video journal. Share your stories with us on AIM's Facebook page. |
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Technical Assistance Tips
| | Welcome to the AIM Connector, the newest star in the constellation of supports from the national AIM Center! I would like to take a moment to spotlight two important resources on the AIM Center website.
First, on the right side of the homepage, visit "AIM in Your State" to find your AIM/NIMAS contacts and state-focused information. Second, also on the right side of the homepage, visit "Presentations and Webinars" to discover upcoming conference presentations, webinars and also archives of past sessions.
We look forward to engaging with you in collegial conversations and activities as we move forward to the time when all students have the instructional materials they need for educational participation and achievement.
Joy Zabala
Director of Technical Assistance
CAST and National Center on AIM |
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About the National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials |
With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, we are a national technical assistance and dissemination center dedicated to ensuring that students with print disabilities receive instructional materials in formats that are accessible to them in a timely manner. We serve as a go-to resource for state- and district-level administrators, educators, parents, publishers, conversion houses, accessible media producers, and others interested in implementing AIM and NIMAS in accordance with IDEA 2004. Learn more about the AIM Center.
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, nor does mention of other organizations imply endorsement of those organizations. |
Visit our other sites to learn more about CAST and Universal Design for Learning
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© Copyright 2010, NATIONAL CENTER ON ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS at CAST, Inc.
Tel: (781) 245 2212 | Email: aim@cast.org
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