A

Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the design of apps, devices, materials, and environments that support and enable access to content and educational activities for all learners. Educational materials and technologies are “accessible” to people with disabilities if they are able to “acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services” as people who do not have disabilities. As a person with a disability, you must be able to achieve these three goals “in an equally integrated and equally effective manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use” (Joint Letter US Department of Justice and US Department of Education, June 29, 2010). Technology can support accessibility through embedded assistance—for example, text-to-speech, audio and digital text formats of instructional materials, programs that differentiate instruction, adaptive testing, built-in accommodations, and other assistive technology tools. AEM Center

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)

Accessible educational materials, or AEM, are print and technology-based educational materials, including printed and electronic textbooks and related core materials that are designed or converted in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of individual variability regardless of format (print, digital, graphic, audio, video). AEM Center

E

Engagement

The process of communicating to, learning from, and partnering with stakeholders that acknowledges the unique needs and strengths of the stakeholders involved is meaningful, inclusive, clear, effective, and ongoing to best support educational equity and excellence (CCSSO, 2017).

P

Professional Development

Professional development is mandatory one-time workshops, seminars, or lectures selected by school or district leaders and is typically a one-size-fits-all approach to training educators and staff (Scherff, 2018).