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Annette CareySeptember 27, 2012

1What are Accessible Instructional Materials?ContentThe information:Print based (textbook) may require retrofittingDigital based (web site)- may be difficult to retrofit if not accessible from the startTechnologyHow the content presented must be accessibleConsideration Points:Presents exactly the same content in a format that makes the information usable by the widest range of students.

The need or preference for instructional materials in accessible formats goes well beyond students with identified disabilities and well beyond print.

Do you have students:Who are not reading typical grade level instructional materials?

Whose progress would increase if barriers to accessing learning from and responding to instructional materials were lowered?

If more students were successful readers, would that impact educational, vocational and quality of life outcomes?

3If any student is unable to read traditional grade level print instructional materials at a sufficient rate and with adequate comprehension to complete academic tasks with success, relative to same-age peers, or cannot do this independently, or cannot do this across environments and tasks, then the student may need AIM.

In the next section, we will examine a process that can be used to assist teams in determining if a student needs AIM?

Need? WV Data Disconnect.Data Disconnect: August 2011Bookshare - 292 students being served

WESTEST2 Read Aloud Accommodation (2012) 17,095

Statistical Probability (approx 2- 4% of general pop) 5,643 - 11,285

Statistical Probability for Students with IEPs (20% - 40%)- 8,852 - 17,703

5Provisions within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 require state and local education agencies to ensure that textbooks and related core instructional materials are provided to students with print disabilities in specialized formats in a timely manner.

Why Provide AIM?The Legal ConnectionSection 300.172, Final Regulations of IDEA 2004Accessible Instructional Materials 101: What SEAs, LEAs, and Families Need to Know about NIMAS and BeyondZabala, J., Carl, D., Fonner, K., & Marfilius, S. (2008). Preconference at Closing the Gap. Minneapolis, MN. For more information visit aim.cast.org or email jzabala@cast.org. 6Textbooks and Core Materials?Printed textbooks and related printed core materials published with texts

Written and published primarily for use in elementary and secondary school instruction

Required by a state education agency or a local education agency for use by students in the classroom

7Print Disability:Copyright Act of 1931 Library of Congress regulations (36 CFR 701.10(b)(1)) related to the ACT to Provide Books for the Adult Blindblind persons* or other persons with disabilities*:

Prevented from reading standard printed materials as result of blindness or visual impairmentUnable to read or unable to use standard print as result of physical limitationHaving a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction (*Certified by Competent Authority)

8What does the Copyright Act of 1931 have to do with IDEA?Addresses Publishers ConcernsClarifies Print Disability (language found in IDEA)IDEA:Unified standard for textbooks and core instructional materials: NIMASCentralized location: NIMAC (only accessed by Authorized Users)Meeting Copyright definition + IDEA = ease of access to materials What about other students who need the instructional supports of accessible materials?School districts have the responsibility to provide learning materials that are accessible to all studentsAccess to the instructional materials from sources other than NIMAC

9Textbooks and Core Instructional Materials in WVPolicy 2445.40 Adoption of Instructional ResourcesWV Instructional materials Review/Advisory Committee selects Instructional ResourcesDistricts choose from this list"All materials produced after August 18, 2006, must comply with the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS), as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and must be submitted to the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Center (NIMAC) in NIMAS format.What are specialized formats?

BrailleLarge PrintAudioDigital textNIMAC: Authorized UsersAllowed access to the NIMAC Center on behalf of the stateFive (5) AU allowed per stateDesignated AU in WVInstructional Resource CenterWV School for the BlindWVDEBookshare Learning Ally

Must meet copyright criteriaFree for eligible students (IDEA and copyright)Text-to-speech voiceAccess to NIMAC (IDEA and copyright)Multi-modalities: see and hear words as they are being read and highlightedeBooks on computers, tablets, hones, assistive technology, MP3 players and more

Membership Required

Human Voice

Must meet copyright criteria

Timely MannerGoal:Same time as classmates

Problem:Schedules are determined in the Fall

Solution:Make sure the IEP Coordinator is awareWe always seem to be in a rush..Plan early

Responsibilities of Decision-Making TeamsHow do you establish the need for accessible instructional materials?Once you identify need, how do you select the specialized format(s) needed by a student?Now that we know the student has the need for accessible instructional materials, and we have selected the format(s), who will do what and when to acquire needed format(s) in a timely manner?How do we determine what supports are needed for effective use of the specialized format(s)?

So many questions.so little time..

16The AIM NavigatorA process facilitator that assists educators, families and students with decisions about AIM for an individual studentFour major decision pointsNeed, Selection, Acquisition, and Supports for UseGuiding questions and instant feedbackBuilt-in scaffold supportsExtensive references and resourcesStudent Summary and To Do List

Not a screening or evaluative tool

http://aim.cast.org/navigator/page/

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Step 1: Establish the NeedThe student can read and use the standard print-based materials used by the other students. (Note: Specialized formats would not be needed at this time)

The student needs exactly the same content in one or more specialized formats.

The student needs modified content or alternate materials.

Step 2: Select Specialized Formata.Instructional Contextb.Specialized Formats Neededc.Match formats to Materials

Key Points to Remember:Students may require different formats depending on need, instructional material and environmentConsider the studentsAccess to the informationAbility to work as independently as possibleDevelopment of literacy skillsParticipation in educational activities

Step 3: Acquire AIMWhere do I go for accessible materials?

It depends

Selecting Acquisition Path Five basic sources:NIMAC (National Instructional Materials Access Center)National repositoryStudent meets copyright criteria AND is served under IDEAAMPs (Accessible media producers)Create and produce materials for students who meet copyright criteriaCan access NIMAC if student meets copyright criteria AND is served under IDEABookshare and Learning Ally are AMPs

Selecting Acquisition Path (cont)Commercial SourcesPurchased from publishersTumble Books (story books)Free sourceInternetCopyright-freeOpen sourceLocally CreatedTeacher developed materials

Authorized Users in WV:Bookshare and Learning Ally24Step 4: SupportsTechnologyTrainingStudent, staff and familyInstructional StrategiesAuditory ListeningEquipment trainingSupport Services Braille instructionOT services for a child with a physical disabilityCase management, equipment managementAccommodations and/or ModificationsOutlet, cart specialized tableFrequent breaksWhere is this information documented on the IEP/504 Plan?

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Handy Information to ShareAIMing for Achievement Article Series http://aim.cast.org/learn/accessiblemedia/allaboutaim/aimbasics

Accessible Instructional Materials: AIM Basics for Familieshttp://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_basics_families

Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): A Technical Guide for Families and Advocateshttp://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_families_advocates

AIM Implementation Guidehttp://aim.cast.org/experience/training/aim_implementation_guide

Handy ResourcesAdvisory Commission on AIM in Postsecondary Education Reporthttp://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/index.html

Mike Marottas eReader Wiki http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_basics_families

Indiana Center for Accessible Instructional Materials (ICAM)http://www.icam.k12.in.us/

MITS: Michigans Integrated Technology Supports AIM/NIMAShttp://mits.cenmi.org/AIMNIMAS.aspx

Thank youQuestions

Much of this information was provided by:http://aim.cast.org