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.
Why accessible materials & technologies?
Accessible versions of educational materials may mean the difference between learning barriers and learning opportunities.
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.
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.
Celebrating Joy
The Joy Zabala Fellowship in Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials will support early career professionals in assistive technology and accessible materials. At CAST from 2007–2021, Joy was internationally known and beloved for her leadership and advocacy for learners with disabilities and their families.
Upcoming AEM Center Events
Learn more about AEM Center events
Leading and Teaching with Empathy: Leveraging Technology, Accessibility for All
When technology is accessible, all learners can access the same information and engage in the same interactions — at the same time. Join this session at FETC 2022.1:30PM – 3:30PM ET on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
You Can Make an EPUB: Easy Tools to Get You Started
Want to learn how to improve the readability and usability of your materials? Join us to learn how to create accessible content with EPUB. Other tools for making accessible epub will be explored. Make your materials more inclusive for everyone!2:15PM – 3:15PM ET on Thursday, January 27, 2022
Ensuring Equity by Vetting Open Educational Resources for Accessibility
Learn about an openly available protocol for evaluating the accessibility of created or curated OERs in a number of formats, and hear from education leaders in one state who will share their process and lessons learned for vetting accessible OER to support equitable learning opportunities for all students.3:00PM – 3:45PM ET on Thursday, January 27, 2022
Featured AEM Center Resources
Learn more about AEM Center resources
Our Impact by the Numbers, October 2019 – July 2021
Learn more about how our work impacts states and individuals through our universal, targeted, and intensive technical assistance.
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
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
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