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.
Learning on the Go: ADA Title II Updates and Requirements
In April 2024, the United States Department of Justice issued a final rule requiring state and local governmental entities — including early childhood, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions — to ensure web- or mobile app-based digital learning resources are appropriate for and usable by students with disabilities.
Featured AEM Center Resources
Learn more about AEM Center resources
AEM Takeaways
Dive into the AEM Takeaways series for quick, exciting lessons on accessible materials and technology! Watch short videos where AEM experts break down terms and practices, then get real-world insights from field professionals. Plus, explore extra resources to supercharge your training in schools, universities, or any setting you choose!
Creating NIMAS Files
Practical information about creating a NIMAS fileset for publishers and conversion houses.
AEM Center at CAST
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
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.
Upcoming AEM Center Events
Learn more about AEM Center events
The Three AEMigos: The Synergy Between Assistive Technology (AT), Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), and Technology
Come join the fun with the CAST technical assistance (TA) specialists at the National AEM Center to explore and clarify the concepts and relationships of accessible materials, assistive technology, and technology for supporting students with disabilities. Visually explore how these components differ and complement each other, and learn about resources and best practices for implementing them.3:30PM – 4:30PM ET on Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Improving Data Collection and Quality for Students With Disabilities
In this session, facilitated by the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM Center) at CAST, we invite you to discover how a group of States and districts, and AEM Corporation, have engaged in an iterative process using the Common Education Data Standards (CEDS) to develop five data reports related to accessible formats provided to students with disabilities.11:15AM – 12:30PM ET on Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Takeaways From the AEM Cohort: Georgia and North Carolina Improving Student Outcomes through AT, AEM, and Accessibility Practices
This session will present the outcomes and learnings of a five-year grant project that involved seven State agencies and 21 local agencies in creating systems that ensured the availability and accessibility of educational materials and technologies for students who need them. You will learn about the strategies and methods that were used by Georgia and North Carolina to facilitate systems change and to address the challenges encountered along the way.11:15AM – 12:30PM ET on Wednesday, August 7, 2024