Requesting Alternate Formats
Disability Resource Services provides alternative media for course materials,
including textbooks and other required course materials to qualified
students with disabilities. Qualified students who are registered with
Disability Resource Services may be eligible to receive all or part of
their course materials in an alternative format. Converted materials
provide equal access to the educational experience.
Procedures
To receive text conversion services:
- Students must qualify as having
a disability that is covered by the ADA and/or Section 504 of the Vocational
Rehabilitation Act with text conversion specified as an appropriate
academic accommodation.
- The student and a Disability Resource Specialist
determine that text conversion services are a reasonable accommodation.
- The
student and a Disability Resource Specialist review the Text
Conversion Agreement Form (PDF, 81KB) (sample
only) and the student signs the agreement. Note:
Original copy of the form must be picked up at Disability Resource
Services.
- The student and the Disability Resource Specialist determine
which alternate format(s) the student will use and which text(s)
will be converted.
- Students requesting alternative format materials
must submit a list of the books or other materials they are seeking
to Disability Resource Services on the Text
Conversion Request Form (PDF, 138K) (sample only). Note: Original
copy of the form must be picked up at Disability Resource Services.
- If you are a student at a Regional campus or at the
Commercial Ave. campus, please call 246-6716 for directions on
submitting your request.
In
order to assure the availability of textbooks and other materials
in alternate format, all relevant information must be provided to
Disability Resource Services as soon as it is available. Students
are responsible for obtaining this information as soon as possible
after they register for classes. It can take up to six weeks to complete
a request.
The Text Conversion Request Form must include the following information.
- complete catalog number
- complete course number
- course
name
- instructor name
- complete title
of text
- author or authors (editor
if applicable)
- edition
- copyright
- ISBN number
- Publisher
- Preferred
format
Key Points
- Students are required to purchase each book
they request in an alternate format. Textbooks are copyrighted material
and copyright law requires a student to own a physical copy of the
textbook being requested in alternative format and that accessible formats
not be duplicated or shared. Students may need to provide proof of book
ownership to Disability Resource Services.
- Disability Resource
Services will take the student's specific format request into consideration
when seeking and obtaining alternate format materials. However, students
are advised that not every item will be readily available in every
format. In addition, some text items do not lend themselves to certain
alternative formats. When applicable, alternatives will be discussed
with the individual student.
- Disability Resource Services will not
produce multiple formats of the same materials. An exception may
occur if DRS determines that multiple formats are necessary to effectively
communicate different textbook contents in which case the material
may be presented in more than one alternative format.
- Typically,
between four and six weeks notice (4-6 weeks) is required to obtain
or produce alternate format materials. Disability Resource Services
will make every effort to obtain materials in a timely manner and
in the specific format requested. However, consideration will be given
to the most expedient manner and format available in the fulfillment
of student requests.
- If
students wish to have their materials during the first two
weeks of class, they must submit their request for textbook conversion
at least 4 weeks before the semester begins.
Text Delivery
Current delivery methods used by the Disability
Resource Services include:
- Postal mail service
- Pick up of materials at
Disability Resource Services.
- Email attachment
Note: It
is the student's responsibility to return all books, course
materials and equipment to Disability Resource Services as soon as
the course has been completed. If a student drops a class, he/she will
be responsible for returning the materials by the end of the semester.
Students should request a receipt for books, course materials
and equipment given to Disability Resource Services. The receipt
serves to validate that the student delivered the material to Disability
Resource Services.
Equipment Check-Out Policy and Procedures
Adaptive
Equipment Loan Agreement Form (PDF, 26KB) (sample only)- Note:
Original copy of the form must be picked up at Disability Resource
Services.
Alternative Media Resources
The following alternative media formats are currently offered and supported
by the Disability Resource Services.
- Electronic Text
- Digital Audio CD in
an MP3 format
- Audio Cassette
- Braille
- Large Print
- Magnification Devices
Specific file formats provided by Disability Resource Services
are:
- Kurzweil 3000 file (.kes)
- Kurzweil 1000 file (.kes)
- Text file
(.txt)
- Rich Text Format (.rtf)
- MS Word file (.doc)
- MP3 audio
Several of these formats require the use of specialized hardware or
software in order to access the materials. Depending upon the needs of
the individual, these may include:
- Variable speed, four-track tape players
- Non-variable peed, two-track tape players
- MP3 CD player (stand alone
or computer software).
- MP3 Player Software
- Specialized computer
software allowing access to Electronic Text materials
Adaptive software information and web links:
Additional Information:
Last Modified:
January 12, 2007
top |
