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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.

Learn more about the AEM Center

Why accessible materials & technologies?

Accessible versions of educational materials may mean the difference between learning barriers and learning opportunities.

Learn more about providing access to learning

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.

Learn more about NIMAS & NIMAC

Photo of Joy Smiley Zabala

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.

Learn more & donate today

Upcoming AEM Center Events

Learn more about AEM Center events

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Presentation

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

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Presentation

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

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Presentation

What's New with AEM in 2022

Join us to learn about new and updated resources from the AEM Center that will make you into an accessibility hero for all students, including those who have disabilities.

4:30PM – 5:30PM ET on Thursday, January 27, 2022

Featured AEM Center Resources

Learn more about AEM Center resources

Graphic communicating the AEM Center’s national reach via products and services as of July 2021.

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.

Read the report

Guide

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

Article

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

Guide

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

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