September 10, 2014
Back to School Edition

Greetings from the AIM Center team!

With many schools now back in session, you may have observed a child/student having difficulty using typically printed instructional materials to participate and make progress in the classroom. Perhaps you are wondering if accessible instructional materials (AIM) might be needed?

This special Back to School edition highlights AIM Center resources that will help answer this and other questions frequently asked by families and educators as they enter the new school year. Also in this issue:

Webinar Offering: Making a Measurable Difference with AIM, September 16, 3-4PM EDT
Policy Brief on Fair Use - Updated
AIMing for Success Videos - New

How can I get a quick introduction to AIM?

man and woman looking at computer screen

Watch a 3-minute Video

Scan the AIM Center's Quick Start Resources

- for Educators

- for SEAs/LEAs

- for Families

I think my child/student might need AIM? How can I learn more?

Cover of the AIM Basics for Families Brochure

AIM Basics for Families: This booklet, available in English and Spanish, will help families and educators decide whether a student needs AIM, what type(s) of specialized format the student needs, how to access the materials for the student, and what supports the student will need to use AIM. Available as a booklet through PACER or as a free Word document.

AIM: A Technical Guide for Families and Advocates: This guide includes background information on AIM provisions in IDEA, definitions of terms, a description of the decision-making process for AIM and where to find additional resources. Available as a booklet through PACER or as a free Word document.

What resources are available to help IEP teams and other teams make thoughtful decisions about AIM?

The AIM Navigator: Use this free online, interactive decision-making tool to facilitate a four-step process of decision making about AIM for an individual student. We highly recommend using the Navigator as you plan in advance for an IEP meeting. If online access is a barrier, a print version is available too.

Webinar: Review an audio recording and slides from the popular AIM Center webinar, Navigating your Way to AIM in the IEP: Who Needs AIM and Where does AIM Fit?

What legal issues are important for me to know about?

IDEA requires that states and districts ensure the timely provision of AIM to elementary and secondary students with disabilities who need these materials. This means that school districts must take reasonable steps to provide AIM to eligible students with disabilities without delay, typically at the same time as other students receive instructional materials. For students who do not receive special education services under IDEA, the disability civil rights laws (Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act) may require the provision of AIM. There are also copyright issues that may impact the sources that can be used to acquire AIM for your child/student. Access the policy brief

My school is starting to use digital devices and digital learning materials. Are they accessible?

Unfortunately not all digital materials are designed and developed with features that make them automatically accessible to all students. And it is often impossible to retrofit digital materials for accessibility. Promoting accessibility in digital materials is becoming more and more important as school systems begin to move away from traditional print-based text. Learn more about what you can do to encourage school systems to purchase digital learning materials that are designed to be accessible from the onset. Access PALM (Purchase Accessible Learning Materials) resources

Webinar: Making a Measurable Difference with Accessible Instructional Materials

September 16, 2014, 3:00-4:00 PM EDT

As more and more students are receiving accessible instructional materials formats in a timely manner, it is time to think about how these materials are impacting the educational outcomes of students to whom they are provided. This webinar will highlight three aspects in which change would be expected to occur and will consider ways to capture qualitative and quantitative data on these changes. Presenters: Joy Zabala, Joanne Karger. Register for the September 16th webinar

Fair Use: AIM Center Policy Brief
Updated, July 2014

Woman reading from a folder This brief provides an overview of the "fair use" doctrine under copyright law. To date, there have been very few court cases in either the K-12 or higher education context that address the applicability of this doctrine to the conversion of print instructional materials into accessible formats. Because determinations of fair use are highly case-specific, educators who are interested in learning more about this topic should review this brief in tandem with consulting the general counsel's office for their institution or district. Access the policy brief

AIMing for Success Videos
Two new videos highlight AIM in action

Explore the story of Cooper, a young man who is successfully using several formats of accessible learning materials and assistive technology to actively participate in educational, family, and community life. One of the lessons learned is that it is key to introduce accessible materials and technology at an early age. Access the video

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