The Project Abstract is also available in Microsoft Word format.

ABSTRACT

Educational Media Activities to Improve State Systems for Providing Educational Materials in Accessible Formats/CFDA 84.327S ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CONSORTIUM

ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CONSORTIUM

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.

The long-term goal of the AIM Consortium is to improve academic outcomes for elementary and secondary school students with disabilities. The goals of the Consortium are highly relevant to improving academic outcomes for elementary and secondary school students with disabilities. The project goals are to—

• Facilitate the development of state systems for increasing the awareness and timely provision of accessible instructional materials via NIMAS/NIMAC for qualifying students and also for non-qualifying students,
• Ensure that state systems for the identification, acquisition, and use of accessible instructional materials employ high quality procedures and practices, and
• Produce related products and services scalable and made available to all states, OAs, and FASs, thus contributing to improving outcomes for all students with disabilities.

The design of the AIM Consortium reflects a highly efficient, cost-effective effort that will leverage expertise and resources in providing and conducting three categories of products and services:

1. Coordinated Central Services provided by project staff at CAST, including professional development, consultation, and awareness building for member states; facilitation of all Consortium activities; budget and project oversight, and central management.
2. Focused State Activities designed and implemented by each member state, and supported via targeted sub-awards/contracts distributed equally to all state members.
3. Best Practices Products and Services for services or materials deemed beneficial to member states and scalable to all states, OAs, and FASs.

Products and services will include extensive professional development services and materials, data management and tracking systems, specialized format delivery models, and protocols for identifying students with print disabilities. A central web resource for acquiring specialized formats will be created. Listservs, webinars, and a knowledge base of conversion and specialized format vendors and model systems for providing accessible materials for students with print disabilities will support States and LEAs. A Steering Committee representing each member state and key project staff will meet regularly to determine priorities, provide input and feedback, share ideas, generate new strategies, and resolve any conflicts that may arise.

Evaluation will include multi-instrument quality review protocols to ensure high-quality products and services. Information from focus groups, surveys, feedback cards, and information from member states and related organizations will be reviewed by a Quality Review Committee to assess products and services against the project's goals. Additionally, state surveys and final progress reports will document states' progress in improving systems related to accessible educational materials.

Proposed outcomes include a significant increase in state systems that address IDEA-mandated accessible instructional materials requirements, including NIMAS; the timely provision of specialized formats into classrooms; and an increased capacity in Consortium states to expand academic opportunities of students with disabilities. The AIM Consortium will also create scalable solutions for accessible instructional materials acquisition and delivery that will be available to all states, OAs, and FASs.