National Center on AIM | AIM CONNECTORApril 2010
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AIM YouTube
AIM Tips Videos -  Great Conversation Starters!
Check out the four new video clips on the AIM Center YouTube Channel.

Consider including one or more of the AIM Tips videos in training sessions or with families as a way to introduce critical issues to consider for effective student use of AIM

Introducing AIM to Students - a 4-minute clip highlighting issues for teachers to consider when supporting students in the effective use of AIM

Technology and Skills - a 4-minute clip identifying  how students and teachers can use technology to deliver accessible instructional materials

Self Advocacy and Postsecondary - a 2-minute clip with tips for students on strategies for self-advocacy for technology and services to acquire and use AIM

Using AIM at Home - a 3-minute clip where teachers and students discuss the benefits and challenges of using AIM at home and strategies and supports to overcome them
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AIM Diigo Archive
Top 3 Newsworthy Articles on AIM Issues - According to Chuck

For those of you who know Chuck Hitchcock, the AIM Center's Project Director, you won't be surprised to learn that he is a 24/7 news junky...especially on issues related to trends in e-books, accessibility issues in education, digital technology tools, and the publishing world.

If you want to stay current, but don't have the time...well, Chuck has done the work for you! We post the most compelling and insightful articles on the AIM Center homepage...daily.

Don't have time to check our website every day (hard to imagine)? The articles are archived in Diigo, a social bookmarking site, so you can catch-up anytime it's convenient for you.

Chuck's Top 3 Must-Reads for February/March:

Feb 8: Inkling Seeks Feedback from iPad Users with Disabilities - Education is for Everyone

March 22: Judge Rejects Google's Attempt to Create a Universal Library

March 2011: Educause paper - Things You Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing


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DAISY and NIMAS in HTML
Newly Released from the AIM/NIMAS Center

"DAISY and NIMAS in HTML: A Guide to Accessible HTML Production for DAISY 3 and NIMAS 1.1" (2011). Of interest to  those wishing to convert NIMAS source files into accessible HTML versions.

Accessibility e-Resources - Instructional materials reach far beyond today's printed textbooks. With that in mind, the AIM Center has created e-Resources, a one-stop, go-to source of AIM Center-vetted resources for educators who want to learn more about all things accessible, including:
  • computer applications
  • assessments
  • eBook readers
  • eLearning systems
  • meeting software
  • survey tools
  • and much more! 
Please let us know about resources that you have found to be especially helpful (aim@cast.org).
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AIM Webinars
May AIM Webinar Offerings - May 10th

Register for the AIM Webinars on the AIM Center website.

Special session for teacher educators at pre-service, graduate and in-service levels:
Introducing AIM Online Courses for Higher Education and Professional Development Studies
May 10, 1-2 PM EST
Presenter: Skip Stahl and Joy Zabala

For system-level leaders supporting AIM implementation in districts and schools:
Implementing AIM at the Local Level: Practical Applications and Supportive Resources
May 10, 3-4 PM EST
Presenter: local personnel TBD, Joy Zabala

Missed a webinar? Archived recordings are available on the AIM Center website...usually within a few days of the session!

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Meet the AIM Center Team
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Yvonne Domings, AIM Center Team

Yvonne Domings, Ed.M., is an instructional designer and research associate at CAST. As part of the AIM team she provides expertise in incorporating AIM into the instructional design of curriculum. Additionally, she has expertise in helping teachers broaden general education curricula to encompass the academic, social and behavioral needs of students with autism spectrum disorders, and has shared her expertise in teacher professional development programs.
TA Tips

As spring approaches, conversations in the AIM Forums on a variety of AIM-related subjects are blossoming!

Add your voice to continuing conversations begun on the AIM webinars! Share how you are using (or thinking you might use) AIM Tools such as the Navigator, Explorer and DVD!  Join conversations of interest to you or begin new conversations!

Visit  http://forums.cast.org/ and click on the registration link near the upper corner of the page.  Everyone looks forward to seeing your thoughts.

As always, happy to hear from you and provide assistance for the AIM-related work in which you are engaged.

-Joy

Joy Zabala
Director of Technical Assistance
CAST and National Center on AIM
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AIM Webinars
AIM Talk
Highlights of hot topics coming from our April 7th webinars

Thank you to all of our webinar participants and panelists for your engaging interactions and thoughtful questions during our webinars. Remember, you can continue the conversation in the AIM Online Forum!

Questions you raised...and some answers:

Where can I find language to use in IEPs documenting the need for AIM?
AIM Center website
Iowa's True AIM website
Wisconsin Accessible Media Productions

What issues should I be thinking about regarding Open Source curriculum and accessibility?
Barriers in a Digital Curriculum - a series of insightful videos narrated by Vicki Hershman from the PATINS project.

Missed the webinars? Recordings and accompanying materials are archived on the AIM Center website.

Visit our other sites to learn more about CAST and Universal Design for Learning
            
© Copyright 2010, NATIONAL CENTER ON ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS at CAST, Inc.
Tel: (781) 245 2212 | Email: aim@cast.org