About the AEM Center at CAST
Based at CAST, the AEM Center was funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) through September 2024. As of October 1, 2024, the AEM Center is an independent service provider, Accessibility at CAST. Through this transition, we are able to provide customized accessibility solutions to educators nationwide. We continue to work with states and districts to build capacity for developing and sustaining robust systems for providing accessible materials and technologies for all learners who need them. To us, accessibility means that individuals with disabilities—from early childhood through the workforce—have equal access to materials and technologies for reaching educational outcomes and advancing in employment.
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.
Center Products & Services
We are a resource for state- and district-level educators, parents, students, publishers, conversion houses, accessible media producers, and others interested in learning more about and implementing accessible digital materials and technologies. Our services and activities include the following:
- Developing and sustaining readily available information and tools to build the capacity of stakeholders to enhance both the effective provision and use of high quality accessible digital materials and technologies.
- Providing stakeholders with expert technical assistance and customized "just-in-time" consultation on major issues relevant to the timely provision and use of accessible digital materials and technologies.
- Collaborating with OSEP, OSEP-funded projects, technical assistance and dissemination center networks, family centers, early childhood, post-secondary and workforce providers to build capacity for and raise awareness about the timely provision and use of accessible digital materials and technologies to improve outcomes for learners with print-related disabilities.
With the support of national experts, we also maintain and advance the NIMAS Technical Specification for filesets that are deposited in the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Center (NIMAC) at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).
Center Staff
Professional Learning Specialists
- Michelle Soriano
- Kelli Suding
Operations Coordinator
- Sam Bouchat