About AIM-VA

What is AIM-VA and how can it impact my students’ performance?

AIM-VA provides accessible instructional materials to eligible Virginia K-12 students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Accessible instructional materials are alternate print materials, (e.g., braille, electronic files) used by students who are not able to use traditional print formats. Research says that the use of accessible instructional materials can positively impact a student’s performance in the following ways:

Improve grades
Improve test scores
Increase independence
Increase motivation

Could a student benefit from accessible instructional materials?

The following evidence could help determine if a student may benefit from accessible instructional materials.

The student has a disability that interferes with using printed educational material.
The student has a reading accommodation for testing or classroom instruction.
The student is reading below grade level.

What documentation in the IEP is needed to provide accessible instructional materials for a student?

The need for accessible instructional materials should be discussed at the student’s IEP meeting.
The student’s IEP should indicate that the student may benefit from accessible instructional materials.
Each school division determines what and where accessible instructional materials are documented.

What additional documentation is required?

AIM-VA also requires that an eligible student have a print disability due to one of three categories; Low Vision/Blindness, Physical Disabilities, Other Disabilities.

A student’s print disability must be confirmed by a competent authority designated by their school division.
The confirmation of a print disability by a designated competent authority must be documented. Each division, however, develops their own procedures regarding how this confirmation is documented.

Where do I go next?

Most Virginia school divisions have AIM-VA representatives. Contact the special education department at your local school division or the AIM-VA HelpDesk for more information.