The Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Consortium represents 15 states serving over 1.3 million students under IDEA, of whom over one-half million are estimated to have print disabilities. States need effective systems to implement the NIMAS/NIMAC requirements of IDEA and the materials-provision needs of those students who require specialized formats but do not qualify for NIMAS/NIMAC resources. The AIM Consortium combines CAST's experience leading system-change initiatives to increase the timely availability of accessible instructional materials with states that are committed to organizational change and to solutions scalable to other states, outlying areas (OAs), and freely associated states (FASs). AIM Consortium state members are Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Press Release: Grant Awarded to CAST and 15 States (HTML and Word)
Request for Proposals: Original RFP page (HMTL, PDF, and TXT)
Project Abstract (HTML and Word)
The AIM Consortium web site provides news and information updates on the Consortium's coordinated central services, focused state activities, and emerging and scalable best practices.
The NIMAS Development and Technical Assistance Center, supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), works with states, TA systems, disability advocates, national associations, technology experts, publishers and content conversion houses to improve the timely delivery of high quality accessible educational materials to students with disabilities.The NIMAS Center was launched on October 1, 2004.The project officer for both the Development and TA Centers is Bonnie Jones, Ed.D. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the Department of Education's position or policy.