Students who require course material in an alternative format should follow the steps below to obtain the course-assigned materials they need:
- Verify that your OAS accommodations includes course materials in an alternative form.
- Contact your professor as soon as you register for a course to get a list of required course material.
- Obtain books from the resources attached (see Resources for Alternative Format Course Material). If you cannot find what you need, notify the OAS so we can pursue other options. For example, we may be able to scan and adapt your textbooks ourselves. Please allow 2-6 weeks for the conversion. Please also note that in order to scan books the binding of the books must be taken apart, often resulting in the book not being in its original condition afterward. You must have a receipt/proof of purchase for the book(s) we adapt.
- The OAS will offset any additional costs a student incurs when acquiring course materials in alternative form. In order to receive compensation, students must provide documentation of the cost of the standard course materials that all students are required to purchase, and also submit a receipt for the materials in alternative form. If the cost of the alternative form is greater, the OAS will reimburse the difference.
Resources for Alternative Format Course Material
Publishers. Check with the publisher of the textbook to see if they offer alternative formats.
AccessTextat at www.accesstext.org. This organization works with the publishing world and colleges and universities across the country to help students with disabilities have equal access to their textbooks.
Bookhare at www.bookshare.org. Bookshare offers a collection of accessible titles for people with visual impairment, physical disability or learning disability.
Amazon at www.amazon.com. Amazon carries a wide selection of electronic and audio-books in various formats available for purchase.
Project Gutenberg at www.gutenberg.org. Project Gutenberg offers thousands of free eBooks.
CourseSmart at www.coursesmart.com. CourseSmart sells electronic textbooks as well as electronic resources, such as study guides.
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFBD) at learningally.org. RFBD has a collection of digitally recorded textbooks.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) at www.loc.gov/nls. The NLS is a free braille and talking book library service for people with disabilities that prevent them from reading or holding the printed page.