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About the AEM Center

The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning at CAST provides technical assistance, coaching, and resources to increase the availability and use of accessible educational materials and technologies for learners with disabilities across the lifespan.

Learn more about the AEM Center

Why accessible materials & technologies?

Accessible versions of educational materials may mean the difference between learning barriers and learning opportunities.

Start a conversation with our video series

NIMAS & NIMAC

NIMAS is a technical standard used by publishers to prepare “electronic files” that are used to convert instructional materials into accessible formats. NIMAC is a national center that stores NIMAS source files from publishers.

Learn more about NIMAS & NIMAC

Featured AEM Center Resources

Learn more about AEM Center resources

The Accessible Learning Experience | CAST, Illustrations of a microphone, sound waves, digital text, and wifi

The Accessible Learning Experience

Turn learning barriers into learning opportunities by exploring the world of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning in this monthly podcast.

Listen to the podcast

Guide

Fair Use and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

This brief presents an overview of the “fair use” doctrine under copyright law in relation to the provision of accessible texts to persons with disabilities.

J. Karger
2020

Article

Open Education Resources: Ensuring Inclusive Learning in Uncertain Times

Situated at the intersection of where the OER field meets accessibility issues, this guide details a variety of resources useful for evaluating and selecting appropriate and accessible OERs.

A. Hashey, et al.
2021

Guide

AEM Navigator

Use the AEM Navigator to make informed, accurate decisions about the acquisition of accessible formats for students who need them.

AEM Center at CAST
2021

Graphic communicating the AEM Center’s national reach via products and services as of July 2021.

Our Impact by the Numbers

Learn more about how our work impacts states and individuals through our universal, targeted, and intensive technical assistance.

Read the report

Upcoming AEM Center Events

Learn more about AEM Center events

Webinar

Programmatic Accessibility for Successful Transition into Workforce Development Programs

This workshop explores the challenges and opportunities of transition and programmatic accessibility for workforce development programs. Learn about the best practices and strategies to ensure that your programs are inclusive, accessible, and effective for all participants.

1:00PM – 2:30PM ET on Thursday, March 28, 2024

Presentation

AT is Not Cheating

During this fun and engaging session, presenters will share the importance of accessibility in education and common misconceptions, such as it being considered "cheating" for students with disabilities through shared experiences and data. Multiple meanings of accessibility in education will be discussed and how they relate to equitable access by creating inclusive learning opportunities for all students. Participants will have access to no-cost digital resources that can be used to support accessibility and inclusion.

8:00AM – 9:30AM PT on Thursday, April 18, 2024

Presentation

The 3 AEMigos: AT, AEM and Accessible Technology

In this session, you will explore and identify what accessibility is, why it matters, and develop a stronger understanding of the importance and benefits accessibility can provide to all learners, especially learners with disabilities.

3:30PM – 5:00PM PT on Thursday, April 18, 2024

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