1. Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
Louisiana Literacy and Numeracy Conference, 2009
Louisiana Department of Education
Paul Pastorek
State Superintendent of Education

2. Session objectives
Understand application of AIM for students with significant disabilities
Legal requirements
Considerations in making AIM decisions for student
Documentation on IEP
Suitability of materials for a student
PD opportunities & support

3. What are AIM? Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
Core instructional materials in formats other than the print-based, hard-copy materials
Alternate formats
braille
large print
audio material
digital media
more specialized formats
varied font style, size, color
picture-symbols
structured styles

4. Is AIM NIMAS? NIMAS is a standard
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
used by publishers to produce source files (in XML)
files are used to produce multiple specialized formats (Braille or audio books)
Some AIM are produced from NIMAS source files and some are not

5. Certifying “Print Disability”
District Competent Authority certifies “print disability”
Verification of Eligibility to Use NIMAS Materials form
If medical referral, include copy in student record
District Responsibility
Superintendent identifies the District’s Competent Authority
May be staff assigned by Superintendent
May include multiple members based on student criteria
District maintains a record of student eligibility
District informs state AU of student eligibility at request for alternate format 5

6. What is a “print disability”?
Defined by the Library of Congress regulations (36 CFR 701.6(b)(1))
Based on copyright law
Act to Provide Books for the Adult Blind
Approved March 3, 1931, 2 U.S.C. 135a
3 criteria of eligibility
Federal Register 34 CFR Parts 300 and 301, p , published August 14, 2006

7. Eligibility Criteria i and ii
Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting glasses, or whose widest diameter if visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.
Most commonly identified student
Straight forward criteria
Currently supported by the LIMC

8. Eligibility Criteria iii
Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
Who is a “competent authority”?
How is the decision made?

9. Eligibility Criteria iv
Persons certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner.
“Competent authority” – medical doctor
Record of medical referral

10. Determining Need
Given standard *print-based curriculum materials used in the content areas, does the student have difficulty accessing or gaining meaning from these materials?
*print-based core materials are textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, basal textbooks and reproducible materials printed on paper, in book, or single sheet format

11. Factors
Have any factors related to the student’s disability been identified?
Evidence
 Physical  Cognitive  Visual
 Reading Disability  Auditory  Perceptual
 Attention Deficit Behaviors  Dyslexia  Other

12. Current Reading Ability
Is the student able to read at a sufficient rate and with adequate comprehension in order to complete academic or curricular tasks with success, relative to same-age peers?
Evidence
Current performance indicated by data
Reading efficiency
Reading comprehension

13. Other Barriers
Identify any barriers other than the print-based format that prevent student access to instructional materials.
Evidence
 Lack of instruction  Inadequate prerequisite skills
 Behaviors  Other: 13

14. Examining Curriculum Barriers
What
5 Components of Reading
Comprehension
Learning Differences
Listening
How
Goals
Methods
Materials
Assessment 14

15. Strategies
List the strategies or accommodations to materials that have already been tried to address reading or access. Have they been successful?
Evidence
Typical reading strategies (non-technology-related)
Any technology-related strategies
Multiple texts or any teacher-created texts

16. Features of Electronic Reading Systems
Input
Text Source Input
Type in
Scanner
Internet
Text files
PDF files
DAISY files
Navigation
Between pages
Go directly to…
Skim by heading…
Bookmark
Functionality
Scan & Read
Read Only
Single User
Multiple User
Color or Black/White
Portability 16

17. Output Features - Reading
Auditory Feedback
Unit read
Synthesizer/Digitized
Synthesizer Language
Digitized Recording
Speed, Pace, Pausing
Speech Access
Word Prediction List
Visual Feedback
Highlight
Color
Size
Formatting
Masking

18. Study Skill Features Highlighting Create new file with highlights
Word Features
Annotations
Bookmarking

19. Writing Features
Word Prediction
Outlining
Writing Supports

20. Alternate Formats
Identify any changes to format of standard print material that the student needs.
Alternate Formats
 enlarged print
braille
audio
 digital

21. Specialized Formats
Identify any changes to style of standard print material that the student needs.
Specialized Formats
Electronic Text
 Picture-symbols
 Color of text or background color
 Use of Style Sheet structure for headings, subheadings, etc.

22. Sample Uses of Alternate Format
Example of Text Read Aloud
Free Resources
Reading a PDF file
WordTalk for MS Word
TypeIt ReadIt for Apple and MP3
Read the Words on the Internet
Examples of Word Prediction
Example of Tools for Comprehension 22

23. Additional Supports
Would the student/educational team require additional supports for successful use/implementation of materials in an alternate format?
Training
 Equipment
 Time
 Other

24. How will the team obtain AIM?
Order from LA Book Depository
Order from LIMC (blind/low-vision)
Request NIMAC file from the Louisiana Authorized User (AU)
Order within district resources
Order the CD-ROM or audio version direct from the vendor
Order from Bookshare.org
Teacher-Created
Other (Describe):

25. Document and Communicate Need
Identify the need for AIM on the IEP or 504
Describe alternate or specialized format
Request resources from textbook coordinator and state AU in a “timely manner”
Inform educational team of AIM needs
Special Education
Regular Education
Extension: Library, Computer Labs, Tutors

26. Documenting AIM on the IEP (pre-7/1/09)
IEP HELP PAGES INFORMATION
On the GSI page in the Progress or Lack of Expected Progress in General Education Curriculum narrative box
Does the student need core and/or supplemental instructional materials in alternate format, (e.g., digitized text books, Braille text books, text modified to present content through a primary graphic/pictorial mode). OR
On the GSI page in the Consideration of Special Factors – Assistive Technology narrative box
Does the student need core and/or supplemental instructional materials in alternate format (e.g., digitized text books, Braille text books, text modified to present content through a primary graphic/pictorial mode).

27. Documenting AIM on the IEP (7/1/09) On the Accommodations Page
MATERIALS Use text/workbooks/worksheets at a modified reading level Alter format of materials on page (type/highlight/spacing) Color code materials (order of list was changed) Utilize large print Utilize braille Utilize audio/recorded books Utilize digital formats Utilize graphic/pictorial mode materials Utilize print with magnification Other (specify) BOLD – approved for statewide assessment

28. HELP pages (7/1/09) What is AIM?
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) are core and core-related instructional materials in formats other than the print-based, hard-copy materials such as textbooks, worksheets, workbooks and teacher-printed handouts.  AIM provide varied options for media for students who are unable to access the print-based materials due to issues such as visual impairments, reading disabilities, or physical disabilities.  These students may require an alternate format such as braille, large print, digital media, or audio material. Digital formats can be further rendered into more specialized formats such as a specific font style, size or color, picture-symbols, or structured styles.  If a student requires AIM, the LEA is responsible for the provision of the accessible format.  For more information go to AIM website  

29. HELP pages (7/1/09)
Utilize large print: The student may be provided with books/materials that have been printed with enlarged text
Utilize Braille: The student may be provided with or books/materials that have been brailled.
On the Accommodations Page under Materials, we are adding:
Utilize audio/recorded book: The student may be provided with recordings of print-based media in a recoded, taped, CD, DVD, MP3, SMF, TSP, WAV or other digital file format that provides access to the text by listening.
Utilize digital formats:  The student may be provided with print-based media in formats such as electronic text (txt), PDF, RTF, DAISY, XML, KSE, HTML, NIMAS or other formats that can be further rendered into specialized modes easily accessible by the user (e.g., braille, picture-symbols, enlarged text, colored fonts, style sheets), downloaded into the user’s device, or transmitted electronically over distance.

30. Two additional types of materials (7/1/09)
Utilize graphic/pictorial mode materials: The student may be provided with graphical/pictorial mode materials that are a specialized style of re-formatting electronic text to provide a picture representation of the word, similar to a rebus story.  Pictures and symbols are typically placed together with the picture above the text or vice-versa to promote association of the picture and text.
Utilize print with magnification: The student may be provided with class materials (books, handouts, tests, etc.) and will utilize assistive technology that will magnify the print.  The assistive technology device(s) could include, but is not limited to, hand-held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, CCTV, portable magnification device, etc.

31. Adapted/Alternate Materials
Age considerate?
Tied to grade-level curriculum?
Appropriate for student’s learning level (e.g., language complexity, symbolic level)?
Matched to accommodation needs (e.g., laminated, page flippers)?
Would typical peers feel comfortable using the products (The eye roll test)?
Enhance or detract from student dignity?
Reflect student interest?
Materials be easily replaced if lost or destroyed?

32. Regular ed teachers require use of similar materials?
Peers/gen. ed teachers easily use the materials with the student?
Parents understand materials/support use at home?
Easily adapted/utilized across curriculum areas and across the day (e.g. a template that can used for different activities)?
Did I slide into a “developmental” approach rather than an age-appropriate academic approach?

33. Access Guide Significant Disabilities (http://sda.doe.louisiana.gov)
Home (
Go to the home page of the Louisiana Department of Education ( and look for “Access Guide” under both Teachers and Administrators resources.

35. St. Charles Parish Don Johnson - Literacy Starters
Lessons 4 All -

36. Daphne Jones, Curriculum, S.E. Curriculum Liaison
Debra Washington, S.E. Curriculum Liaison

37. The following is a list of some resources used and suggested for use to provide literacy-based instruction and accessible instructional materials to students with significant disabilities

38. BookShare.org
Lafourche Parish is currently in process of accessing this registering students for access to digitized text

39. A free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word
WordTalk
A free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word

40. LIVINGSTON PARISH LIBRARY
Free e-books online collection of talking books
TumbleBooks
Grades K-4

41. ADAPTED BOOKS AND CALENDARS
as suggested by
Caroline Musselwhite
with rhyming and repetitive lines

42. Unique Learning Systems and NEWS2YOU
Adapted Curriculum for all levels
with state standards included

43. References AIM Assistive Technology Textbooks LIMC
Assistive Technology
Textbooks
LIMC 43

44. Presenters Louisiana Department of Education
Donna Broussard
Nanette Olivier
Lafourche Parish
Debra Washington
Daphne Jones
Jennifer Toups
Christina Berry
St. Charles Parish
Celeste Chiasson