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AKCAM Services

1. Identify print disabilities:

  • Provide free group or individual training on what a print disability is.

  • Provide free consultative services utilizing the AEM navigator and other tools to identify if a student qualifies for support.
     

2. Identifying characteristics of accessible education materials and assistive technology to help with access to print.


3. Helping teams identify student access supports:

  • Working with individuals and districts to assess student and team needs in the areas of print access.
     

4. Help teams locate accessible educational materials in the following areas:

  • BRF - Braille Ready Format

  • Audio

  • Digital

  • Large Print
     

5. Helping teams identify assistive technology tools for print access and modeling how to utilize them in the school setting.

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What is a Print Disability?

A print disability prevents a person from accessing print. It usually falls into three categories:

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  1. Visual Disability: This can be someone with low vision who might need materials adapted or brailed.

  2. Processing Disability: This is where the brain struggles to process information when it is in print form. Learning disabilities like dyslexia can fall under this category.

  3. Physical Disability: This would be a disability that prevents someone from holding a conventional book or turning the pages. It might also be someone who tires easily from holding the material.

What are Accessible Educational Materials & Accessible Technologies?

Accessible educational/instructional materials (AEM/AIM) are print and technology-based educational materials that are designed or enhanced to make them usable by people with and without disabilities.

Examples of accessible materials:

  • A curriculum that has been converted to Braille

  • A book that is made available through audio instead of text

  • A worksheet that has been converted to large-print text

  • A video that includes subtitles and descriptions

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that students who require materials in braille, large print, audio, and digital text have access to them.

Free Tools to help you get started:
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This tool consists of a series of guiding questions to assist teams with decision-making about need, selection, acquisition, and use of accessible printed materials. Learning supports for completing each decision-making step are available throughout. 

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This tool is a simulation that combines grade-leveled digital text with access features common to most text readers and other supported reading software. Magnification, custom text and background colors, text-to-speech (synthetic and human), text highlighting, and layout options are presented in a logical sequence to help struggling readers.

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