Parents and Students
This page is intended to provide quick links to resources that may be of special interest to students and their families, both school-related and for use at home. Note that links provided will take you to pages within the AIM Center site.
Overview & Introductory
AIM Factsheet for Parents
http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_factsheet_parents
View our factsheet for parents to learn more about accessible instructional materials for your child.
AIM for Families
http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families
Access information and resources for families and students on topics such as AIM at home and at school, assistive technology, and alternate-format learning materials.
AIM for Families and Advocates
http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_families_advocates
View, print out, or place an order for this in-depth guidebook co-developed by PACER and the AIM centers. Review AIM: A Technical Guide for Families and Advocates for a more in-depth exploration of the decisions, processes, and resources available to families and parent advocates.
About Accessibility
Accessible Textbooks in the Classroom II
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/use/accessible_textbooks_II
This document is the third in a series of explorations related the acquisition and use of accessible, alternate-format instructional materials for elementary and secondary school students with print disabilities.
Accessible Media
http://aim.cast.org/learn/accessiblemedia
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.
Finding AIM
Commercial AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/commercial
Commercial in this context means fee-based access (subscription or per-item) to alternate versions of print materials. Organizations/companies may require registration and/or membership as well. See also Mainstream below.
Copyright-Exempt AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/copyright_exempt
Organizations on this list operate as authorized entities as described in Section 121 of the Copyright Act (the Chafee Amendment) and may only provide specialized format versions of print instructional materials to qualified students.
Copyright-Free AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/copyright_free
Sources in this category provide access to digital versions of copyright-free or out-of-copyright (public domain) materials.
Disability-Specific Resources
http://aim.cast.org/learn/disabilityspecific
Acquire information about the functional impact of disabilities on education: specifically, as related to accessible instructional materials. Learn about available resources for extended study.
Specialized AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/specialized
Sources on this list provide texts available in alternate formats, including digital electronic text, digital audio narration, Braille, large print, or sometimes even combinations of these. Consumers are urged to consult the web sites provided here to determine which formats may be available and if they must qualify in order to access content or become members.
Mainstream AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/mainstream
Sources on this list may offer content for free or for sale, or both. Digital electronic text and digital audio content may also be provided to patrons through public libraries. Check with your local library about resources listed here, as well as other services to which your library may subscribe.
Using AIM
AIM Product Tutorials
http://aim.cast.org/experience/training/tutorials
Each of the tutorials presented focus on a different aspect of AIM products and services for use in classrooms and at home and offer detailed, practical instruction in the use of AIM and related products.
e-Resources
http://aim.cast.org/learn/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.
Readers That Import NIMAS Files
http://aim.cast.org/experience/technologies/readersimport
This page describes products that use and convert NIMAS filesets. These products open or import NIMAS filesets and either read them or export them as another format (some products change NIMAS source files to a different format before reading and some work with the files directly).
AIM Across the Curriculum
http://aim.cast.org/experience/acrosscurriculum
Learn about planning considerations, products, and solutions for access to the general curriculum, categorized by content area.
Reference & Resource Materials
AIM Glossary
http://aim.cast.org/glossary
Use the AIM Glossary to find definitions of AIM- and NIMAS-related terms and acronyms.
Legal Brief: Provision of AIM via NIMAS & NIMAC
http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/nimas_nimac_families_educators
An Examination of the NIMAS and the NIMAC Provisions in IDEA 2004: A Brief for Families and Educators
Legal Brief: Rights of Students to Receive AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_families_educators
The Provision of Accessible Instructional Materials to Students with Disabilities under IDEA, Section 504, and Title II of the ADA:
An Overview for Families and Educators
Legal: NIMAS/NIMAC/AIM
http://aim.cast.org/learn/policy/federal/legalissues1
The National Center on Learning Disabilities (NCLD) hosts a document authored by Joanne Karger that provides a comprehensive overview of the legal issues associated with NIMAS and NIMAC.