AIM for Students with
Low Vision & Blindness
Megan Shadrick M.S., M.A., COMS
Associate Director
Disability Resource Center-Access Technology Center
Missouri State University
Overview
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What is AIM
Resources for finding AIM
How to create AIM
UDL Principles
Blind & Low Vision
• Legal Blindness: A best corrected visual acuity
of 20/200 or less in the better eye; or a visual
field limitation in the better eye, no greater
than 20 degrees.
• Low Vision: A best corrected visual acuity of
20/70 or less in the better eye; this does not
discuss visual field limitation.
Blind & Low Vision Specific Resources
• National Center on Accessible Instructional
Materials
• AIM Navigator an interactive tool that
facilitates the process of decision-making
around AIM for an individual student.
– determination of need
– selection of format(s)
– acquisition of format(s)
– selection of supports for use.
What is AIM?
• Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)
• Requires school districts to provide accessible
versions of instructional materials to students
who are blind or otherwise unable to use
printed materials.
Time
• Students with disabilities should receive
materials in accessible formats at the same
time as their peers!
Accessible?
What do we mean by accessible?
– All text can be read with text-to-speech
– Font size can be manipulated,
– Can be navigated by unit, chapter, section and
page number
– Images include alternative text and long
descriptions when appropriate
Beware!
• Just because a document is digital or online, it
is not inherently accessible
Types of Instructional Materials
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Textbooks
Workbooks
PowerPoints
Handouts
Videos
Additional Considerations
• Online Learning Platforms
• Device or software being used
• Student Learning Style
Type of AIM
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Electronic or Digital files
PDF
Word (doc or docx)
Plain Text (txt)
Rich Text Format (rtf),
Web based (html)
Epub (epub3, epub4, ibooks, etc.)
Audio
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Audio
Digital Talking Books (dtb)
Daisy
Mp3
Mp4
Print
• Large Print
• Braille
• Tactile graphics
Where Do You Find Created AIM?
NIMAC
• National Instructional Materials Access Center
(NIMAC)
• repository where all the NIMAS files are
stored
• funded by the Office of Special Education
Programs (OSEP) and was created through
amendments adopted to IDEA
NIMAS
• Purpose of NIMAC is to make it easier for districts
to obtain materials for students with disabilities,
and to do so in a more timely manner
• Once a NIMAS file is downloaded from NIMAC by
an authorized user, it must be transformed into
the required accessible format for the student
• NIMAC houses files for printed textbooks and
related core instructional materials published
primarily for use in elementary and secondary
school instruction.
No Obligation
• There is no obligation on the part of a
publisher to create NIMAS files or upload
them to NIMAC unless specific language is
included in the contract/purchase agreement
• To search the NIMAC go to
http://www.nimac.us/
Access Text Network
• The AccessText Network helps college
students with print disabilities by connecting
their disability service offices directly with
leading textbook publishers to obtain
electronic files.
http://www.accesstext.org/
Missouri Assistive Technology
• MOAT is always a great resource!
– IDEA Requirements
– Eligibility for Electronic Source Files
– Accessing NIMAS File Sets
– Sample Agreement/Contract Language
http://at.mo.gov/aim/aim.html
What Is An AMP
• Accessible Media Producers
APH
• American Printing House for the Blind
• APH materials and products are designed primarily for
people who are blind or visually impaired.
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Early Intervention
Preschool
elementary
secondary education
For more information about APH visit the web site:
http://www.aph.org
Bookshare
• Bookshare is a national, nonprofit organization
that creates and maintains an extensive collection
of accessible reading materials for people with
disabilities of all ages who meet copyright
criteria.
• Memberships can be individual or organizational
• Free to qualifying elementary, secondary, and
post-secondary students
• www.bookshare.org
Learning Ally
• Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D,
• National nonprofit, largely volunteer
organization that provides an extensive
accessible audio book library
• Serves qualifying individuals of all ages who
cannot read or use standard print.
• For more information visit the web site at:
• http://www.learningally.org.
Load To Learn
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Based in UK
Dolphin Became a Partner
Books
Tactile Graphics
Training videos
http://load2learn.org.uk/
AIM APS Chart
• For More specific details and comparison
chart
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondis
tribution/aim_amp_guide
AIM Conversion Services
• Commercial companies that provide
conversion services
• Transformation from print to digital,
transformation from one digital medium to
another
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/production/c
onversion_services
In House Creation
How Do You Create AIM?
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Scanning
Converting
Creativity
Reach-out for help
Content Development & Design
• Recommendations
• Standards
• Guidelines for production and tools,
– Braille production software and services
– making Math and Science accessible
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/production/c
ontent_development
Equipment
• Scanners
– Flatbed
– Feed
– Pearl
What We Use
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CanoScan LiDE 210 $54.99
HP Laser Jet 1536 DNF MFP $340
ScanSnap s1500 $449.99
PEARL Portable Reading Camera - $795
Putting Things Back Together
• Book binder
• Comb bindings
Fellowes Quasar
500 Manual Comb
Binding Machine
$214.95
Embosser
• Juliette and Romeo
• Tiger
Tactile Graphic Equipment
• Viewplus Tiger
– Tiger Software Suite
– Any PC software including Illustrator & CorelDraw
– Cost $3,395-$19,995
– IVEO Viewer
– Cost $595-$1,295
http://www.viewplus.com/
Tactile Equipment Cont.
• Swell-Form Graphics Machine
– $1,315
• The Tactile Image Enhancer
– $1,150
• Thermo Pen
– $135
• PIAF Picture in a Flash
– Cost $1,395
Tactile Graphic Resources
• American Printing House for the Blind (free)
www.aph.org/tgil
• Tactile Library (free)
http://www.tactilelibrary.com/
• Load To Learn (free and paid)
www.load2learn.org.uk
Software
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Adobe Professional
Dolphin Easy Converter
ABBY PDF Transformer
Openbook
Kurzweil
Duxbury
Adobe Professional XI
• Create comparable files to those directly from
publisher
• Scan quickly and easily
• Scan and convert accessible PDFs
• Works with most scanners
• Cost $449
Dolphin Easy Converter
• Scan and Convert
• Format types
– Text
– Braille
– Daisy
– Mp3
• Works with twain compatible scanners
• Cost $1,400
ABBY PDF Transformer
• Convert word to PDF
• Easy to use
• Cost $79.99
Open Book
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Scan and read
Font Manipulation
Works with most scanners
Works with Pearl camera scanner
Cost $995
Kurzweil
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Scan
Read
Font Manipulation
Works with most scanners
Cost $995 for Kurzweil 1000
Cost $1,495 for Kurzweil 3000
Duxbury
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Create braille documents
Create braille graphics with “Quicktac”
Works with all embossers
Cost $595
Formatting & accessibility principles
• Use true numbered and bulleted lists.
• Ensure that font size is sufficient, usually around
12 points or more.
• Provide sufficient contrast.
• Don't use color as the only way to convey
content.
• Use true columns, not tables or columns created
by hand with the Tab key.
• Provide a table of contents
• Use simple language.
Is The PDF Accessible?
• Accessibility Improvements Adobe Acrobat XI
– Alternative text for images
– TouchUp Reading Order
– the accessibility “action wizard”
– accessibility checker
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/acr
obat/
Is The Word Doc Accessible?
• Create Accessible Word Documents
– Headings
– Alternative Text for images
– Data Tables & Accessibility Issues
– Links
– Word 2000 Accessibility checker
For more instructions:
http://webaim.org/techniques/word/
What about Epubs?
• Creating accessible eBooks – RNIB
http://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/solutionsforb
usiness/publishing/publishertechnical/ebooksaccess
ible/Pages/accessible_ebook_creation.aspx
Back To Basics
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Velcro
Wicky sticks
Puff paint
Fuzzy and bumpy materials
Universal Design Learning
• Multiple means of representation, to give
learners various ways of acquiring information
and knowledge
• Multiple means of expression, to provide
learners alternatives for demonstrating what
they know
• Multiple means of engagement, to tap into
learners’ interests, offer appropriate
challenges, and increase motivation
UDL Checklist
1. Focus on course Content rather than Design
2. Allow for Simple Navigation
3. Include an Accommodation Statement
4. Select Course Management Tools Carefully
5. Create a Practice Exam
UDL Checklist Cont.
6. Make Available Handwritten information in a
Text Format
7. Model and Teach Good Discussion Board
Etiquette
8. Choose Color and Font Carefully
9. Provide Documents in an Accessible Format
10. If it’s Visual Make it Auditory; if it’s
Auditory Make it Visual
Teach Transferable Skills
• Scanning
• Converting
• Advocating
Resources
National Instructional Materials Access Center
http://www.nimac.us/
Access Text Network
http://www.accesstext.org/
Missouri Assistive Technology
http://at.mo.gov/aim/aim.html
American Printing House for the Blind,
http://www.aph.org
Bookshare
http://www.bookshare.org
Learning Ally
http://www.learningally.org.
Resources Cont.
Load 2 Learn
http://load2learn.org.uk/
National Center for Accessible Instructional Materials
http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/production/content_development
View Plus
http://www.viewplus.com/
American Printing House for the Blind Tactile Graphics
www.aph.org/tgil
Tactile Library
http://www.tactilelibrary.com/
Resources Cont.
Adobe Acrobat XI Accessibility
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/acrobat/
Web Accessibility In Mind (AIM)
http://webaim.org/techniques/word/
Creating Accessible E-Books
http://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/solutionsforbusiness/publishing/publis
hertechnical/ebooksaccessible/Pages/accessible_ebook_creation.aspx
Missouri State University Access Technology Center
http://www.missouristate.edu/atc
Questions?
Megan Shadrick M.A., M.S., COMS
Associate Director
Disability Resource Center-Access Technology
Center
Missouri State University
417-836-4275
meganshadrick@missouristate.edu
http://www.missouristate.edu/atc