The AEM Takeaways series is a collection of short and engaging learning modules on topics related to providing and using accessible materials and technology. Each module includes a brief video featuring an AEM Center team member explaining a term, concept, or practice, followed by a professional from the field who provides a practical perspective. With each module, you’ll also find additional resources related to the topic. Use these to extend the video for training and professional learning in your state, district, university, job training program, parent center, or other setting. Have an idea for an AEM Takeaway topic? Send it to our team at aem@cast.org.

Foundations of Accessible Educational Materials

The first three videos of the AEM Takeaways series introduce the concept of accessibility and how it applies to common materials provided in education. You’ll learn who benefits from accessibility and the definitions and differences among the terms “accessible,” “accessible educational materials,” and “accessible formats.”

NIMAS and NIMAC

In this next series of the AEM Takeaways, you’ll gain insight into how the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) supports K-12 students who require accessible formats. Additionally, you’ll learn about the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS), which is used to create various accessible formats for K-12 students with vision impairments and/or print disabilities. Throughout this series, you will develop a better understanding of NIMAC, the national source file repository center for K-12 instructional materials and NIMAS, the standard and specification for the instructional materials that are provided through the NIMAC. Lastly, the series covers how NIMAS and procurement of instructional materials work together to ensure timely delivery of accessible formats.