Perhaps the most common tool used in educating students in K-12 classrooms is the textbook.   The use of textbooks is one effective and potentially powerful means of supporting instruction for many learners. However, for students who struggle to read because of physical, sensory, cognitive, or learning differences, print-based materials can present unnecessary barriers to learning and achievement. In addition, evidence-based interventions designed to improve student skills in reading, while critical for school improvement and student success, are not the only means of boosting achievement in a standards-aligned system (SAS).    

Students who are unable to use textbooks and instructional materials in a traditional way may need accessible instructional materials (AIM) in order to have meaningful and equal access to the general education curriculum.   Such access is guaranteed in federal education statutes, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as in Pennsylvania Special Education Regulations: Chapter 14 for school districts and Chapter 711 for charter schools.   Local education agencies are required to take all reasonable steps to provide instructional materials in accessible formats to children with disabilities who need those instructional materials at the same time as other children receive instructional materials. (IDEA 2004, Section 300.172 (b) (4) Access to Instructional Materials)

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network has established the PaTTAN AIM Center to support local education agencies in meeting the requirements of IDEA 2004 for the provision of accessible instructional materials. The AIM Center, formerly called Large Print/Braille Production Services, will assist local school districts in obtaining specialized formats of instructional materials for eligible students with print disabilities. Specialized formats include digital text, audio, braille, and large print.