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Maine
AIM ResourcesUDL, Accessibility and the MLTI - Podcasts [requires iTunes or QuickTime player] 
AIM Fact Sheet - from Maine Parent Federation - 
Maine AIM: Acquiring Accessible Instructional Materials for All Kids from Kittery to Fort Kent -
Maine Local Entitlement Information (revised) -
Maine Parent Federation School Calendar (09-10) -
Maine 121 Blog - Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility
Cynthia Curry's Universal Design in Education Blog
Creating Accessible Documents - Maine CITE
Five Things Schools Should Do to Improve Access to Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) -
It’s time to order Braille & Large Print Books! -
The National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (NCAIM) is the "go-to" resource for state- and district-level educators, parents, publishers, conversion hourse, accessible media producres and others interested in learning more about and implementing AIM and NIMAS. Go to the NCAIM website for more information. You may also receive regular updates from NCAIM through Twitter and Facebook.
IDEA Regulations: National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard - requires plugin
School Districts Responsibilities NIMAS/NIMAC - requires plugin
The following document is also provided to assist the school in making this determination and who is qualified From Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, IA - -PDF Document - requires plugin
Accessible Instructional Materials and the IEP
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Book Builder @ CAST
The NCAIM have provided an collection of AIM Product Tutorials which provide a video demonstration of the major AIM products and services. Each of the video tutorials presented focus on a different aspect of AIM products and services for use in classrooms and at home and offer detailed, practical instruction in the use of AIM and related products. Components include videos with detailed demonstrations of product features and operation, downloadable Quick-Start Guides, downloadable PowerPoint training slides, and a printable Summary Chart of Features. Choose a video below to learn more about a variety of AT software. The AIM Products Feature Chart may also be useful. Go to the NCAIM Product Tutorials.
The AIM Products demonstrated on the NCAIM website will soon be available for viewing and demonstration. Please contact Kathy Powers at Maine CITE for more information.
Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)
NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free and open-source screen reader for the Windows Operating System, enabling blind and vision impaired people to use their computers for no more cost than the computer and Operating System itself. Started in April 2006, it has grown to become quite usable as a day-to-day screen reader, enabling the user to do most tasks they would need to. It is not as stable or as bug-free as some of the commercial screen readers, but since December 2006 the creator of NVDA has been able to use NVDA full-time as his primary screen reader, finally giving up his original commercial product.
For more information and to download NVDA
JAWS - Job Access With Speech
JAWS is a screen reader, a software program for visually impaired users, produced by the Blind and Low Vision Group at Freedom Scientific. Its purpose is to make personal computers using Microsoft Windows accessible to blind and visually impaired users. It accomplishes this by providing the user with access to the information displayed on the screen via text-to-speech or by means of a braille display and allows for comprehensive keyboard interaction with the computer.
For more information and to download a trial copy of JAWS
Serotek - System Access
Serotek’s System Access software brings you accessibility anywhere, and is available in configurations to meet every lifestyle and budget. Whether you're composing a document or spreadsheet, keeping track of appointments, or surfing the web, System Access provides intuitive and affordable access to all Windows-based applications.
System Access come in a standalone package, a mobile version and a web-based product called System Access to Go
For more information and to download a trial version.
VoiceOver - Apple MacIntosh Computers
VoiceOver is a screen reader built into Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X operating system since version 10.4. By using VoiceOver, the user can access his or her Macintosh by using speech and the keyboard. The feature is designed to increase accessibility for blind and low-vision users, and for users with dyslexia. A variant of VoiceOver is also included on the latest versions of Apple's iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano and iPod Touch, as well as the iPhone 3GS.
For more information about VoiceOver
Books Should Be Free - Free audio books for MP3, iPod
LibriVox - Free audio public domain books
Internet Archive - Audio Archives
Learn Out Loud - Free audio books
Library of Congress - Source for E-Text - NLS
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Accessible Books and E-Texts - Matonline - A List of Lists
The National Center for Supported Electronic Text
Accessible Textbooks: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
E-text Library - University of Virginia
E-Book/E-Text Collections - Texas State University - San Marcos
The English Server (eserver.org)
Universal Digital Library. Million Book Project
Alex Catalogue of Electronic Texts (Eric Morgan)
Electronic Books page for the University of Texas at Austin
Case Study: NJ Middle School Students Demonstrate
Improved Writing Outcomes - Educators See Added Value
of Assistive Technology Tools -PDF Document - requires plugin
Research Bibliography
Effectiveness of computer-based reading for students with reading disabilities
Barker, T.A., & Torgesen, J.K., (1995). An evaluation of computer-assisted instruction in phonological awareness with below average readers. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 13(1), 89-103
Dalton, B., Pisha, B., Eagleton, M., Coyne, P. & Deysher, S. (2001). Engaging the text: Reciprocal teaching and questioning strategies in a scaffolded learning environment. MA: CAST
Elkind, J., Black, M.S., & Murray, C. (1996). Computer-based compensation of adult reading disabilities. Annals of Dyslexia, 46, 159-186.
Elkind, J., Cohen, K., & Murray, C. (1993). Using computer-based readers to improve reading comprehension of students with dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 43, 238-259.
Erdner, R.A., Guy, R.F., & Bush, A.. (1998) The Impact of a year of computer assisted instruction on the development of first grade learning skills. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 18(4), 369-386
Lundberg, I. (1995). The computer as a tool for remediation in the special education of reading disabled students: A theory-based approach. Learning Disability Quarterly, 18, 89-100.
MacArthur, C.A. & Haynes, J.B. (1995) Student assistant for learning from text (SALT): A hypermedia reading and aid. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 28(3) 50-59
Montali, J. and L. Lewandowski. (1996). Bimodal reading: Benefits of a talking computer for average and less skilled readers. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29(3): p. 271-279.
Raskind, M.H., & Higgins, E.L. (1995). The effects of speech synthesis on proofreading efficiency of postsecondary students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Quarterly. 18,141-158.
Torgesen, J.K., & Barker, T.A. (1995). Computers as aids in the prevention and remediation of reading disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 18.
Accessible Instructional Materials: An Annotated List of Research Articles
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) research resources
updated: 09-Jun-2010 5:36 PM
