AIM Virginia 101
Free accessible materials for students with disabilities
Overview

The Kellar Institute for Human
disAbilities
◦ George Mason University
 AIM-VA

I.D.E.A –Part 300- Subpart
B- Sec. 300.172
◦ “Timely Manner”.
What are accessible materials?

Materials that are designed or converted
in a way that makes them usable across
the widest range of student variability
◦ Universal Design
 The “What” of learning
What are accessible materials?

Print instructional materials that have
been transformed into the specialized
formats of braille, large print, audio, or
digital text.
What does AIM-VA do?

Accessible Media Producer
◦ 5 “from scratch” formats
◦ 4 NIMAC sourced formats
◦ 4 partner based formats

Statewide training
◦ In-person
◦ Distance Learning

Technical Support
AIM-VA Partners
NIMAC
 Bookshare
 Learning Ally
 DBVI


Don Johnston
Benefits of AIM

Access to otherwise lost information

Built-in note taking/organizational
features
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Modern AIM- Modern Devices

Independence
Eligibility
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Available online: www.aimva.org
◦ Online quiz
◦ Printable flowchart

*TAKE NOTE* AIM-VA eligibility is not the
same as national partner eligibility
Organic Dysfunction
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Organic dysfunction means the cause of
the reading disability is physically based
and it does not include reading difficulties
that are caused by social or
environmental factors, or educational
deficiencies. Examples of an organic
dysfunction may include conditions such
as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia,
and aphasia.
Organic Dysfunction
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ADHD
Asperger syndrome
Autism
Cancers
Chronic pain
Developmental
Disorders
Dyscalculia
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
Dyspraxia
Epilepsy
Gerstmann's syndrome
Head/Brain injuries
Headache/Migraine
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Headache/Migraine
Huntington's disease
Learning disabilities
Motor System Disorders
Neurological Issues
(including ataxia,
degeneration, dementia,
palsies, encephalitis)
Overuse disorders /
Repetitive motion
disorders
Paralysis
Seizure Disorders
Stroke
Tumors
You may use this
sample note as eligible
documentation.
A note is valid as long
as it contains the
students name,
disability classification,
and doctors signature.
Who can order?

Educators w/ valid school email
◦ DRMs

Every division has at least one
administrative user
Parent Access on AIM-VA
Don Johnston’s Read:OutLoud 6
 Can search AIM-VA’s library and resources

◦ Teachers must order materials created by AIMVA
Independent accounts on Learning Ally
and Bookshare
 AIM-VA helpdesk and technical assistance

Formats
Audio
Braille
BRF
Daisy
ePub
Large Print
NIMAS
Word
HTML
PDF: Accessible
PDF: Fully Acc.
RTF
Parents can get
direct access to:
-Audio
-Daisy
-BRF
Audiobooks
Accessibility Features
 Learning Ally books are read by content matter specialists and are designed to be clear and
understandable, with students who have disabilities in mind.
 Speed controls allow students can speed up or slow down the rate at which the book is
read.
 Students can easily click to navigate by pages, chapters or sections as well as add their
own digital bookmarks.
 Can be read on Daisy players or PC, Mac, IOS, and Android devices using the free
downloadable software or apps provided by Learning Ally.
 Content is "Reflowable", meaning the text is optimized to fit the page regardless of font
size.
 For audio recordings in the “Voicetext” format, the text will be highlighted as it is read
which reinforces word recognition, improves fluency, builds vocabulary and develops
decoding skills.
Works With:
 Free Learning Ally Audio App (IOS and Android)
 Free software from Learning Ally called Link or ReadHear by gh
 DAISY Devices (Cost depends on device; device can be ordered through Learning Ally)
Daisy
Accessibility Features
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Text-to-speech capabilities allow the text to be read aloud
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Highlights text as it is read for improved comprehension
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Built in bookmarks and electronic navigation
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Images are tagged with alternate text descriptions that can be read aloud.
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Page numbers of the Daisy correspond to the page numbers of the printed text.
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Older Bookshare Daisy files did not contain graphics. Newer Bookshare Daisy files and Daisy files converted
from NIMAS will have graphics with alternative text that can be read aloud.
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Content is “Reflowable”, meaning the text is optimized to fit the page regardless of font size.
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Most Daisy readers will have a series of additional beneficial features such as:
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Dictionaries
Bibliographers
Contrast and color: Boost the contrast with various built-in color variations
Built-in graphic organizers
Pronunciation assistance
Highlighting of Digital Text for notes
Web access
Note: To open Daisy book use the (.opf) file, in a specialized Daisy reader.
Works With Text-to-speech programs such as:
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Read:OutLoud
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Kurzweil 1000 and 3000
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Read and Write: Gold.
BRF
Accessibility Features
 Braille is unique written language that may be the most
accessible option of reading and writing for students who
are blind or have a significant visual impairment.
 Digital files on a refreshable display prevent the need to
carry and store large volumes of embossed braille text.
Works With:
 Refreshable Braille display
 Braille embosser
PDF Accessible
Accessibility Features:
 Provides an identical digital representation of a printed book.
 Compatible with text-to-speech programs
 PDFs can be opened by using a variety of programs on the
computer as well as many mobile devices.
 Users can increase the page size without distorting the text;
allowing PDF Accessible files to be used as digital large print.
 Most PDF readers will have a series of additional beneficial
features such as:
◦ Highlights text as it is read for improved comprehension
◦ Contains note taking features like in text highlighting and commenting
◦ Bookmarking and electronic navigation
Works With:
 Adobe Reader and text-to-speech programs such as: Read:
OutLoud, Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, Read and Write: Gold.
Digital does not always = accessible
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“The publisher made this electronic file”
◦ Varies depending on publisher
◦ Often not AT compatible
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“I made this in word, ppt, etc.”
◦ Serves some of the population but not all
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“I scanned this myself”
◦ Lacks OCR, built in features, not AT compatible
Flat text (not
readable by a
computer)
Not reflowable
No navigation
beyond page by
page
No text tags
No compatible
with AT
Files that are
only just
scans are
only
accessible to
a very small
portion of the
population.
• Computer readable
• Navigation by
page, chapter, and
user bookmarks.
• Compatible with AT
• Reflowable
• Images tagged
with Alternative
text
Searching the AIM-VA library
Results broken
down by
partner
All available
formats listed
under each
result
Must login to
order
Learning Ally

Teachers can make free individual
memberships for students
Bookshare

Teacher must:
◦ Load “Manage Members” page on Bookshare
◦ Print or email “Individual Membership form” for
parent

Parents must:
◦ Complete the Individual Membership
application online at:
◦ https://www.bookshare.org/signUpMember
Read:OutLoud
Read:OutLoud
Need help?

Ian Moore
Ph: (703) 993-5578
Email: imoore7@gmu.edu

AIM-VA Help Desk
Ph: 866-926-1879
Email: AIMVA@gmu.edu

AIM-VA Blog

http://aimva.org/teachers/blog/
Twitter?
Follow @aimvirginia