For purposes of state adoption, the term “instructional materials” means items having intellectual content that by design serve as a major tool for assisting in the instruction of a subject or course. These items may be available in bound, unbound, kit, or package form and may consist of hardback or softbacked textbooks, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electronic media and computer courseware/software. A publisher or manufacturer providing instructional materials as a single bundle shall also make the instructional materials available as separate and unbundled items. A publisher may also offer sections of state-adopted instructional materials in digital or electronic versions at reduced rates to districts, schools, and teachers.

Florida does not have a unique definition for accessible educational/instructional materials in state statute or in state rule. Rather, definitions on accessibility are provided through technical assistance papers (TAP), guidance papers, and resource materials. The Federal Definition of accessible instructional materials as noted in IDEA 2004 (20 U.S.C. [United States Code] 1474(e)(3)(C)) has been provided to all Florida LEAs through technical assistance papers (TAP), and resource materials on AIM. Updated information on accessible educational materials are currently under review. Section 1006.29, Florida Statutes (F.S.) defines instructional materials as “items having intellectual content that by design serve as a major tool for assisting in the instruction of a subject or course”; and further specifies that they are available in bound, unbound, kit or package form; include hardback or softback textbooks, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electroni

Florida does not have a unique definition for accessible educational/instructional materials in state statute or in state rule. Rather, definitions on accessibility are provided through technical assistance papers (TAP), guidance papers, and resource materials. The W3C Principles of Accessibility have been provided to Florida’s LEAs through resource materials, technical assistance, and professional development activities as the guidelines for accessibility to digital technologies.

Each district school board is responsible for the content of all instructional materials used in a classroom, whether adopted and purchased from the state-adopted instructional materials list, adopted and purchased through a district instructional materials program under s. 1006.283, or otherwise purchased or made available in the classroom.

July 1, 2017, House Bill 989 was passed, impacting changes to Section 1006.28, F.S., and Section 1006.40, F.S., also removing the requirement that all adopted instructional materials for students are digital.

State statute states that each district school board shall use its annual allocation only for the purchase of instructional materials that align with state standards and are included on the state-adopted list, except as otherwise authorized in paragraphs (b) and (c). (b) Up to 50 percent of the annual allocation may be used for: 1. The purchase of library and reference books and nonprint materials. 2. The purchase of other materials having intellectual content which assist in the instruction of a subject or course. These materials may be available in bound, unbound, kit, or package form and may consist of hardbacked or softbacked textbooks, novels, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electronic media, computer courseware or software, and other commonly accepted instructional tools as prescribed by district school board rule. 3. The repair and renovation of textbooks and library books and replacements for items which were part of previously purchased

Florida Statute 1003.4282 lists an online course as a required element prior to graduation.

Florida’s AT; UDL Loan Library includes access to accessibility solutions and instructional technologies (interactive whiteboards, interactive displays, virtual reality technologies, student response systems, mobile technologies, cloud based technologies, assistive technologies, augmentative communication systems) along with professional development support for the use of these and related technologies by learners with disabilities to improve outcomes.Support, professional development, instructional materials, and assistive technology for students who are blind or visually impaired is provided through the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. Support, professional development, instructional materials, and assistive technology support for students who are deaf or hard of hearing is provided through the Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Support and professional development for students with disabilities in general is provided

The Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, supports a statewide online Assistive Technology; Universal Design for Learning (AT; UDL) Loan Library. Training and support for the selection and acquisition of accessible technologies is provided through multiple state and federally supported discretionary projects and through a network of Local Assistive Technology Specialists who serve all Florida LEAs.

All review of instructional materials is an online process and includes digital instructional materials. The specifications describe the courses for which materials are being sought, as well as cite the standards that the instructional materials are expected to meet. In addition, they contain the research base that outlines the components of effective instructional materials. The evaluation forms are developed from the research contained in the instructional materials specifications document. Each reviewer is responsible for completing and submitting an evaluation electronically for each assigned publishers submission on or before the deadline. Each submission shall be evaluated at the individual benchmark level for accuracy and completeness, as well as holistically for overall value as an instructional tool.

Florida hosts instructional materials center that are specific to students with sensory impairment and outlined in Florida Statute. The Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. The Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Both these project receive dedicated state funding for the production of braille, large print, captioned materials, and other materials specific to the needs of students with sensory impairments.