A Family's Guide to Accessible Educational Materials

Families play an important role in ensuring their child with a disability has access to the educational materials they need to learn and succeed. This guide is designed for parents and caregivers of children who require accessible educational materials (AEM) for learning. It will provide you with information about what AEM are, how they can benefit your child, and how you can work with your child's teachers and education team to make sure your child receives the AEM they need. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the nation's special education law that gives you and your child certain rights and protections in the special education process. The IDEA requires that students with disabilities who need AEM receive them in a timely manner. This means school districts must take reasonable steps to provide AEM to eligible students with disabilities without delay. This guide was created to help families learn: (1) What AEM are; (2) Why a student may need AEM; (3) Laws related to a student's right to receive AEM; (4) How AEM are provided to students; (5) What supports are necessary to effectively use them; and (6) Next steps for parents/caregivers of students who need AEM With this knowledge, families can help ensure their child with a disability has access to the materials they need for independence, participation, and progress in general education classes.