Definitions:
Accessible Educational Material (AEM): The term Accessible
Educational Materials (AEMs) is currently used and includes both printed and
electronic text. It is important to note that not all electronic text is
accessible to all. Often used interchangeably with AIM.
Accessible Instructional Material (AIM): The term
for specialized formats which included alternate text produced from only printed
materials. Often used interchangeably with AEM.
Alternative Format: Alternative materials
address the same educational goals as the standard print document, but the
content is modified (usually made less complex) so that the student can better
understand it.
Specialized Format: Specialized formats include
the same content as a printed textbook or other instructional material but
change the way the content is presented to the student. No information is added
or removed. This term is used in IDEA and in copyright law under the Chaffee
Amendment. It is changed to Accessible Format under the Marrakesh Treaty. Specialized
formats are braille, large print, audio, and digital.
Accessible Format: A term that is synonymous
with Specialized Format.
Process
There are four steps to ensure that students
receive specialized formats through the GIMC.
Assessment
Establish need for instructional materials in accessible
formats and determine which type of specialized format(s) are needed by the
student. Consider what supports are needed for effective use of the specialized
formats by the student
Documentation
Document the need for accessible formats in the student’s
education plan, e.g., IEP or 504. Student’s that do not have a written plan may
also benefit from materials presented in different ways, i.e. differentiated. The
district or local school address these students in instructional frameworks
such as Mutli-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and are responsible for providing
materials to meet the students’ educational needs.
Certification
Students who meet definition of print-impaired due
to blindness, visual impairment, other-print impairment, or those who are physically
impaired are certified by competent authorities (a list of competent authorities
is documentation in the Policies of the GIMC webpage). Those students who are ineligible
for certification but could benefit from differentiated instruction are given
supports thorough their local district.
Registration
Register the student with the GIMC. The GIMC assists
districts obtain AEMs for districts’ student when possible.
Electronic
AEM Eligibility Questionnaires
