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.

PALM Initiative

The PALM Initiative (Purchase Accessible Learning Materials) is focused on encouraging purchasers to buy, and publishers and developers to create, accessible learning materials. See how you can help!

E-Book Market Brief

This Brief highlights some of the problems that we are seeing in the commercial and open education resource markets. The problem extends to purchasing decisions for hardware, software, e-learning platforms, apps, and more. This is a problem worth solving. Publishers will respond when states and local education agencies demand accessible learning materials directly from the source.

AIM for Digital Equity

This article discusses how to ensure that your instructional materials are universally designed to be flexible, accessible, and usable for students with and without disabilities.

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.

Use

This section provides information on the practical use of AIM and includes resources on assistive technologies, alternate formats, state-level disability-related organizations and entities, and guidelines for teachers and parents.

Market

Market Initiatives: The National Center on AIM strongly supports the development and implementation of a commercial market for preparing and delivering fully accessible formats of instructional materials to schools. There may be opportunities for schools to purchase specialized-format instructional materials for students with print disabilities and we are beginning to see examples of commercial products designed for elementary, secondary and higher education markets that are considerate of the accessibility needs of all learners. It is our hope that these extra efforts on the part of developers and publishers will be rewarded so that all future products may be universally designed.

Future Considerations

Explore issues around the future of AIM in education, including new technologies, the revision of AIM production technical specifications, the market model, and potential changes in law.

NIMAC

Learn about the NIMAC and its role in the provision of AIM through a variety of resources, including the designation of authorized entities (AUs), the NIMAC database and its metadata requirements for AIM source files, state coordination information, and forms and agreements.