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All About AIM

Learn all about AIM from the basics to classroom practice from these resources explaining the ‘who, what, why’ of AIM.

What are AIM?

Definitions of various forms of AIM and information on which students would most benefit from one or more particular format(s) of AIM.

Why provide AIM?

Learn about key federal statutes and funded national centers with resources supporting the provision of accessible instructional materials.

Learn more about alternate-format materials to support access and enable participation in the general curriculum by students with print disabilities. Find out about accessible media that can be used to support diverse learners in the classroom, categorized by format.

Images

Learn about accessible images—what they are, how to create them, and how to use them. Information and resources on various aspects and features of accessible images are provided for a variety of types of images, such as photographs, illustrations, graphics, icons, etc.

Text

What is accessible text? How is it made and used? What features make text-based learning materials accessible to students with print impairments? Choose from resources provided for parents, educators, administrators, and related service personnel.

e-Resources

These e-Resources provide information about hardware, software, and web-based applications for digitally rendered content including readers, players, hybrid products, and more.

Hardware-Based Resources

See below for information and a compilation of sources of hardware-based resources for digital content. Sources gathered include freeware, open source, and commercial products; including handheld readers and players, hybrid devices, and more.

Software-Based Resources

Screenreader applications read aloud a variety of content formats via TTS, while others are designed for use with digital talking books. Other programs facillitate the use and management of digital libraries, convert files from one format to another, transfer files between devices and accounts, etc.

Accessibility Resources

Practice

Learn more about AIM in action: how to produce, acquire, distribute, and use AIM across a wide variety of implementation models, including AIM in the classroom; AIM information, tools, and tips for parents; NIMAS-specific best practices; formats and technologies; and NIMAC processes.

Production

Information on content development and production for the creation of AIM, including digital talking books and other alternate formats, NIMAS source files, authorized entities as AIM producers, the role of NIMAC in relation to production, and more.

Acquisition & Distribution

Find out about the process of acquiring AIM, including information on sources of AIM, accessible media producers (AMPs), the role of NIMAC in relation to AIM acquisition and distribution, and where to start whether one is a teacher, or district, or LEA employee.

Policy

Obtain information about AIM policies at the federal, state, and local level including up-to-date information on statutes and regulations, IEPs, textbook adoptions, the NIMAS, eligibility and qualification, and more.

Federal

Federal law and regulations pertinent to AIM, including IDEA and NIMAS regulations, copyright law and the Chafee Amendment, Section 508, information on the NIMAS Standards Board, digital rights management, and more.

State Information

Information on state statutes and policies pertinent to AIM, including textbook adoption/purchasing, SEA special education responsibilities, assistive technology, state-specific information and resources, and more.

Research

Discover the latest available research on AIM, UDL, print disabilities, and how these interact, the foundational research base leading up to AIM and UDL connections as they are understood today, and how current research impacts AIM in a practical sense.

AIM Research

Read about available AIM research findings, including materials formats (DTB, audio, CD, HTML/web-based, Braille, large print), assistive technology, instructional support, supported reading (text-to-speech, strategy development, navigation help), and UDL in relation to AIM.

UDL Research

Read about available UDL research findings, including digital textbooks, strategy instruction, scaffolding of skills development, testing and assessment, and more.

AT Research

Post-Secondary Education and AIM

This section includes information and resources regarding AIM related to transition and post-secondary education.

Higher Education

AIM-related information and resources pertaining to higher education. Information related to the Higher Education Commission on Accessible Materials is included.

Transition

AIM-related information and resources pertaining to the transition from high school to higher education, work, and life.

Disability-Specific Resources

Acquire information about the functional impact of disabilities on education: specifically, as related to accessible instructional materials. Learn about available resources for extended study.

Photo of part of a Braille refreshable display

Sensory: Blind and Low Vision

Acquire information specific to the functional impact of visual impairments as related to accessible instructional materials and learn about available resources for extended study.

Sensory: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Acquire information specific to the functional impact of hearing impairments as related to accessible instructional materials and learn about available resources for extended study.

History and Archives

Delve into the background and history of accessible instructional materials and the NIMAS, including the history of core technologies surrounding AIM, past activities and processes surrounding the NIMAS, the original NIMAS technical specification 1.0, etc.