New tactile graphics library and assistive technology initiative expands access to assessments while helping educators prepare students for success in STEM

BILLERICA, Mass., Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates and American Printing House for the Blind (APH) announced a partnership to help ensure students who are blind or have low vision have equitable access to the same rigorous assessment to inform instruction as their peers. The organizations are developing a customized tactile graphics library that will enable educators to quickly locate, print, and use high-quality tactile graphics for i-Ready Inform™, eliminating the need for educators to manually create these materials in real time. In addition, the library's infrastructure lays the foundation for integrating tactile graphics into the next-generation technologies, such as refreshable tactile displays, including the Monarch refreshable tactile displays. The new high-quality tactile image library will be available in the 2026–2027 school year.

The collaboration combines Curriculum Associates' expertise in instruction and assessment content development with APH's leadership in braille, tactile graphics literacy, and assistive technology.

Students who are blind or have low vision continue to be underrepresented in STEM education and careers, while limited access to high-quality tactile graphics remains a significant barrier to engaging with mathematics, science, charts, diagrams, and other visual learning materials. The partnership helps remove those barriers in i-Ready Inform by making tactile graphics easier for educators to find, produce, and use, saving valuable preparation time while improving consistency and quality.

"Timely access to high-quality braille and tactile graphics provides students the opportunity to fully and independently participate in learning," said Lauralyn Randles, senior director of accessible test and assessment. "Together with Curriculum Associates, we're helping educators spend less time creating accessible materials and more time helping students succeed."

The partnership also addresses a significant challenge facing schools. While accessibility standards are essential, creating accessible tactile materials often requires substantial time and specialized expertise. The new searchable tactile image library will streamline teachers' work by making accessible materials easier to find, produce, and use, thereby reducing preparation time while improving consistency and quality.

"This initiative reflects a shared commitment to accessibility that goes beyond compliance by focusing on usability and ensuring students can fully demonstrate what they know," said Allison Johnson, AVP of accessibility, authenticity, and belonging at Curriculum Associates. "By designing for current assistive technology while keeping emerging technologies in mind, we are helping to create environments where students who are blind or low vision can increasingly engage more independently and pursue the same academic opportunities as their fellow learners."

More information about Curriculum Associates' approach to inclusive assessments is available in their recent whitepaper and on their blog.

About Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates is a mission-driven company dedicated to making Grades K–12 classrooms better for more than 17 million students and one million educators nationwide. The company's connected suite of i-Ready® solutions unites adaptive assessment, personalized instruction, and core curriculum in English language arts and mathematics—supported by expert professional learning and service teams—alongside Ellevation for multilingual learners and Stile Education® for middle school science. Through its innovation hub, AI Labs, Curriculum Associates designs forward-looking technologies educators can trust. The company measures success by the impact it makes on student outcomes and is honored to support the extraordinary work of teachers every day.

About American Printing House for the Blind
American Printing House for the Blind is a leader in designing innovative lifelong learning solutions for children and adults who are blind or low vision. We believe in the power and necessity of learning to open the doors to educational success, satisfying employment, and personal well-being. We level the learning playing field for students who are blind or low vision by providing specialized technology, materials, products, and services that are essential for education and life.

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SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC