Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)

Overview

Missouri was selected as one of seven AEM Cohort States (2020-2024) by the National Accessible Educational Materials Center for intensive technical assistance to improve access and usage of accessible educational materials and technologies for learners.

Purpose

The purpose of Missouri’s AEM Project is to create a robust provisioning system to increase the availability and use of accessible educational materials (AEM) and accessible technologies by all learners to improve their overall success.

Vision

Missouri's students, teachers, and parents will be able to access, acquire, create, and implement AEM.

What Are AEM and Accessible Technologies?

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) are print and technology-based educational materials, including print and electronic textbooks and related core materials and technologies that are designed or enhanced in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of learner variability, regardless of format (e.g. print, digital, graphic, audio, video) or features. People with disabilities may experience barriers to the use of printed materials, digital materials, and technologies. Examples where barriers might occur include textbooks, digital documents, websites, apps, learning delivery systems, and electronic devices.

AEM Video Resources

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) - Introduction to Accessibility[3:32 min]

National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)

Accessible Learning Across the Lifespan[2:34 min] Discover accessible learning across the lifespan in these short and informative videos designed to start conversations about the importance of accessibility and accessible materials in your context. 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.  Accessible Learning Series The National AEM Center offers a video series introducing a variety of accessibility features for a more inclusive environment.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network - Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Video Series

Access for Everyone - Breaking Down Digital Barriers for People with Disabilities The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights(OCR) offers a series of brief videos that cover a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable Federal regulations, and identifying and remediating barriers to access.  An Introduction to Digital Accessibility[3:26 min]    Topic 1 - Digital Accessibility: Three Points About the Law[5:58 min]    Topic 2 - How Some People with Disabilities Use Technology[6:02 min]    Topic 3 - Recommended Practices and Tips for Digital Accessibility[6:25 min]    Topic 4 - Vendors and Partnerships[3:55 min]    Topic 5 - Creating an Organizational Culture that Embraces Accessibility[3:17 min]    Topic 6 - The Importance of Manual Testing for Digital Accessibility[5:10 min]    Topic 7 - Keyboard Access and Visual Focus Indicators[4:06 min]    Topic 8 - Testing When the Screen is Magnified[3:06 min]    Topic 9 - Logical Reading Order[4:05 min]    Topic 10 - Alternative Text[5:08 min]    Topic 11 - Fillable Forms[4:33 min]    Topic 12 - Buttons and Form Controls[3:39 min]    Topic 13 - Use of Color Alone to Convey Information[5:14 min]    Topic 14 - Color Contrast[3:40 min]    Topic 15 - Links[3:58 min]    Topic 16 - Tables[4:11 min]    Topic 17 - Heading Structure[3:11 min]    Topic 18 - Video Captioning[5:11 min]    Topic 19 - Reporting and Responding to Digital Barriers for People with Disabilities[3:53 min]

AEM Quality Indicators

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Quality Indicators

• Indicator 1- A Coordinated System for Provision of Accessible Materials and Technologies
  The agency has a coordinated system for the provision of appropriate, high-quality accessible materials and technologies for all learners with disabilities who require them.   
• Indicator 2- Acquisition and Provision in a Timely Manner                                                           
  The agency supports the acquisition and provision of appropriate accessible materials and technologies in a timely manner.
• Indicator 3- Written Guidelines           
  The agency develops and implements written guidelines related to effective and efficient acquisition, provision, and use of accessible materials and technologies.
• Indicator 4- Comprehensive Learning Opportunities and Technical Assistance                       
  The agency provides or arranges for comprehensive learning opportunities and technical assistance that address all aspects of the need, selection, acquisition and use of accessible materials.
• Indicator 5- A Systematic Data Collection Process                                                       
  The agency develops and implements a systematic data collection process to monitor and evaluate the equitable, timely provision of appropriate, high-quality accessible materials and technologies.
• Indicator 6- Use of Data to Guide Changes                                                                       
  The agency uses the data collected to guide changes that support continuous improvement in all aspects of the systemic provision and use of accessible materials and technologies.
• Indicator 7- Allocation of Resources 
  The agency allocates resources sufficient to ensure the delivery and sustainability of quality services to learners with disabilities who need accessible materials and technologies.

Intensive Technical Assistance Plan for Missouri

ITA Plan(07-22)

AEM State Leadership Team

Name	Title	Organization
Mark Wheatley	Assistant Commissioner	DESE, Office of Special Education
James Bouslaugh	Director	DESE, Office of Special Education, Effective Practices
Gwen Deimeke	Coordinator	DESE, Office of Special Education
Kristin Funk	Assistant Director, Achievement	DESE, Office of Special Education, Effective Practices
David Baker	Director	Missouri Assistive Technology (MO-AT)
Cathy Fortney	Therapeutic Services Coordinator	Francis Howell School District
Dawn McNeeley	Director, Special Education	Smithton R-VI, AEM District
Heather Dill	Instructional Technology Coach	Belton School District #124
Debby Loveall-Stewart	Director	Missouri’s Parent Training Information Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) Center
Diane Gemp	Instructional Technology Resource Educator	Regional Professional Development Center
Ashley Krause	President	MOCASE

 

Missouri School District Partners

 

ENCOURAGE • ENGAGE • EDUCATE
Smithton R-VI School District
Dawn McNeeley, Director, Special Education

 

 

 

HOME • SCHOOL • COMMUNITY
Francis Howell School District
Cathy Fortney, Therapeutic Services Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiring • Empowering • Engaging
Belton School District #124
Heather Dill, Instructional Technology Coach

 

 

AEM Cohort States 

Organizational Resources

• National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
• Missouri Assistive Technology (MOAT)
• Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education (MO-CASE)
• Missouri Parents Act Center (MPACT)
• Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC)
• State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)

Bookshare: Bookshare is an ebook library that makes reading easier. People with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, and physical disabilities can read in ways that work for them with a huge collection of titles in audio, audio + highlighted text, braille, and other formats. Bookshare is FREE for all qualified U.S. students who qualify. Learn more by watching this quick video.

Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library: Wolfner Library is a free public library serving schools and their students who cannot read standard print due to having a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia. Wolfner Library provides free access to audio, braille, and large print materials that circulate through the mail free of charge. Their collection includes audio books read by live professional narrators as well as a free audio and web braille download services. Learn more by calling 1-800-392-2614 or at wolfner@sos.mo.gov.

Staff Contact

Kristin Funk

Assistant Director, Achievement
Phone: 573-751-7661
Kristin.Funk@dese.mo.gov