Assistive TechnologyLearning Support : Minnesota Department of Education

Assistive Technology
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Assistive Technology

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) supports a variety of Assistive Technology (AT) initiatives designed to help ensure students with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive technology and receive a free, appropriate public education. Assistive technology can be as simple as a pencil grip or as complex as a voice-activated computer. 
 
AT initiatives include promoting professional development, information dissemination and technical assistance. Resources include the assistive technology listserv, an assistive technology manual, monthly articles about new assistive technology, information on the Statewide Assistive Technology Leadership Team and a current research synopsis. 

Educators must consider assistive technology for all children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) (34 C.F.R Section 300.346.2.(v)) and provide assistive technology for students who require it (34 C.F.R. Section 300.6 (b)).  Find current Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations regarding assistive technology under Related Links.

Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)

Students who struggle to read because of physical, sensory, cognitive, or learning differences require alternative or specialized formats. Learn about the available accessible instructional materials (AIM) designed to help these students learn.

School districts have the ultimate responsibility to provide learning materials that are accessible to all students with print disabilities. Core curriculum material and textbooks may need to be converted to specialized formats. These specialized formats, including Braille, large print, audio and digital text, enable students with print disabilities to gain the information they need to complete tasks, master Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 goals, and reach curricular standards. Specialized formats should also be provided to students who are unable to gain information from traditional print materials.

For more information, contact Joan Breslin-Larson at 651-582-1599 or e-mail joan.breslin-larson@state.mn.us.

See the Related Links at left for more information on the 15-state consortium that includes Minnesota and is working with the CAST nonprofit group to support the development of AIM; the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC); and a topical brief on the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) from the U.S. Department of Education.

*Links to third-party sites are provided as a courtesy to our site visitors. By selecting this link, you will be leaving the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Website. See our copyright notice at the bottom of the page for our full disclaimer regarding these links.

 

2009-2010 Statewide Assistive Technology Leadership Team pdf icon 22Kb (5/20/2009)
     Updated May 2009.
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): Guidance 2009-2010 pdf icon 45Kb (9/1/2009)
     Guidance on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements regarding accessible instructional materials (AIM), the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS), the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), Authorized Users (AUs) and Accessible Media Producers (AMPs) for Minnesota schools and districts
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): Minnesota Overview pdf icon 33Kb (8/25/2009)
     Questions and answers about AIM services for schools and districts
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): Suggested National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) Purchase Order/Contract Language pdf icon 35Kb (9/1/2009)
     Suggested National Instructional Material Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) language for purchase orders and contracts; what districts could think about when ordering textbooks
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): What districts can do pdf icon 31Kb (8/26/2009)
     Guidelines for schools and districts to ensure that identified students have timely access to accessible instructional materials
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): Who Qualifies for the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC)? pdf icon 31Kb (9/1/2009)
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provisions on qualifying for assistance from the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC)