Skip to main content

About the AEM Center

The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning at CAST provides technical assistance, coaching, and resources to increase the availability and use of accessible educational materials and technologies for learners with disabilities across the lifespan.

Learn more about the AEM Center

Why accessible materials & technologies?

Accessible versions of educational materials may mean the difference between learning barriers and learning opportunities.

Start a conversation with our video series

NIMAS & NIMAC

NIMAS is a technical standard used by publishers to prepare “electronic files” that are used to convert instructional materials into accessible formats. NIMAC is a national center that stores NIMAS source files from publishers.

Learn more about NIMAS & NIMAC

Featured AEM Center Resources

Learn more about AEM Center resources

The Accessible Learning Experience | CAST, Illustrations of a microphone, sound waves, digital text, and wifi

The Accessible Learning Experience

Turn learning barriers into learning opportunities by exploring the world of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning in this monthly podcast.

Listen to the podcast

Guide

Fair Use and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

This brief presents an overview of the “fair use” doctrine under copyright law in relation to the provision of accessible texts to persons with disabilities.

J. Karger
2020

Article

Open Education Resources: Ensuring Inclusive Learning in Uncertain Times

Situated at the intersection of where the OER field meets accessibility issues, this guide details a variety of resources useful for evaluating and selecting appropriate and accessible OERs.

A. Hashey, et al.
2021

Guide

AEM Navigator

Use the AEM Navigator to make informed, accurate decisions about the acquisition of accessible formats for students who need them.

AEM Center at CAST
2021

Graphic communicating the AEM Center’s national reach via products and services as of July 2021.

Our Impact by the Numbers

Learn more about how our work impacts states and individuals through our universal, targeted, and intensive technical assistance.

Read the report

Upcoming AEM Center Events

Learn more about AEM Center events

Presentation

What's New with AEM in 2024

New to the provision of accessible educational materials (AEM), or just need to refresh your understanding to incorporate the latest changes to AEM-related statutes? Explore new and updated resources from the AEM Center that will make you an accessibility hero for all students, including those who have disabilities.

1:00PM – 2:00PM ET on Thursday, January 25, 2024

Presentation

Transition and Workplace Accessibility: What's New in 2024

Accommodating individuals with disabilities using assistive technologies can be beneficial in a wide variety of job settings. In this session, speakers in the Transition and Workplace Accessibility Strand are invited to introduce themselves and provide a preview of their presentation.

4:30PM – 5:30PM ET on Thursday, January 25, 2024

Presentation

Coordinating State and Local Systems for Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)

The purpose of the National AEM Center’s Quality Indicators is to assist states and districts with planning, implementing, and evaluating systems for providing AEM. In this presentation, leaders in three states will share highlights of implementing the Quality Indicators over the course of four years.

4:30PM – 5:30PM ET on Thursday, January 25, 2024

Top of Page