In today’s diverse educational landscape, the commitment to inclusivity and equal access is more important than ever. Central to this commitment are Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), which play a crucial role in ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to thrive academically. But what exactly are AEM, and how do they benefit students with disabilities?
AEM are learning resources that are designed to meet the needs of students with the widest range of learner variability. These materials are “accessible” to all students, including students with disabilities. Unlike standard books that require a traditional or more linear method of learning – seeing text in a book, alphabetic recognition, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, etc. – AEM provide alternative methods of access.
For example, audiobooks provide an alternative, auditory method of accessing a books content that can help students with dyslexia who need assistance with decoding. Large print books can help a student with low vision who is unable to see standard font sizes in traditional books.
Examples of AEM
Accessible educational materials include textbooks, instructional materials, and worksheets in print and digital formats. AEM can also be used with assistive technology that have additional features that provide even greater methods of accessing content and personalizing a student’s learning experience. The following are some examples of AEM:
- Audiobooks: books that are read aloud. Some audiobooks also provide accompanying text with synchronized word- and sentence-highlighting.
- Digital textbooks: ebooks that can be read using screen readers or magnified.
- Braille: texts converted into print or digital braille.
- Large print: Texts with enlarged fonts.
- Interactive digital resources: Multimedia resources that include captions, sign language interpretation, and other accessibility features.
How AEM supports students with disabilities
AEM can be transformative for students with disabilities. Whereas traditional educational materials can hinder or even prevent some students from learning, AEM opens up new learning opportunities. They allow students with disabilities to acquire the same information and knowledge in an equally effective and integrated manner as students without a disability.
Bookshare: largest source of AEM
Bookshare is an inclusive learning solution that makes reading easier for students who cannot access traditional books. The Bookshare collection houses the largest source of AEM, including over a million textbooks, classroom instructional materials, supplemental reading, kid’s books, young adult books, career resources, and more. Every title comes in multiple, easy-to-read formats like audio, audio + highlighted text, large font, and braille. And we provide assistive reading software that can be used on devices students already own. Bookshare is free for all US students with qualifying disabilities and schools through an award from the US Department of Education. Learn about Bookshare.
Resources about AEM
Want to learn more about AEM? What is accessibility and AEM? (CAST)