Policies and Procedures

Academic Accommodations: Alternate Formats for Printed Materials

Policy

Students with disabilities who require alternate access to printed material may receive their textbooks in an alternate format. Eligibility for this accommodation is determined on an individualized basis, and students must be able to demonstrate a substantial visual or learning disability, which requires alternate materials. In order to assure textbook availability, all relevant textbook information must be forwarded to the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) as soon as it is available. Students are responsible for obtaining this information as soon as they register for classes. If you require assistance in obtaining this information, you may contact Christine Morello, at 486-2020 or through e-mail at christine.morello@uconn.edu.

Typically, 6-8 weeks notice is required to obtain alternate formats. Late requests will result in a delay in providing materials. The CSD will make every attempt to provide materials as promptly as possible, and in the format requested by the student. However, consideration will be given to the most expedient manner to obtain materials. The following formats are available:

• E-text from the publisher provided to the student on a CD or via e-mail
• Text scanned and edited by the CSD and e-mailed to the student as a Word document or provided on a CD
• Audiotape from Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) [www.rfbd.org] or the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) [www.loc.gov/nls/]
• Audiotape recorded by student readers hired by the CSD – readers are required to complete and deliver tapes in a timely manner by the dates indicated on their contracts; students are required to pick up tapes in a timely manner or at least on a weekly basis
• Large print
• Braille
• MP3 file

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available.

Please note that all alternate format materials are intended for a student's individual use and should not be shared with others. Any duplication of materials is strongly prohibited.

Procedure

• Make an appointment to meet with Christine Morello, Assistant Director, by calling 860-486-2020 or through email at christine.morello@uconn.edu as soon as you have registered for your courses. If you cannot meet with Christine face to face, alternate arrangements can be made such as a phone appointment or on-line instant messaging. At this meeting, an Alternate Format Request Form will be completed.
• Determine which books you will require. This information can be obtained by calling the instructor of the course, the UConn Co-op Textbook Department (486-3537), or the department secretary for each course. When calling the Co-op Textbook Department, please indicate that you are working with the Center for Students with Disabilities. You can also refer to the Co-op's online textbook search at http://webstore.bookstore.uconn.edu/booksearch.aspx.
• Students are required to purchase each book and provide proof of purchase (receipt, invoice, etc.) to the CSD prior to receiving materials.
• If you are requesting an audio format, contact Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) to determine if any of your books are available. They may be contacted at (800) 221-4792, or search their on-line catalogue at www.rfbd.org. Students that have their own membership are encouraged to order their books directly through their account. If students do not have individual memberships, the Center for Students with Disabilities will assume the cost of the membership for each student so that students can order their textbooks directly through RFB&D. The CSD will provide assistance with this process as needed. If books are available from RFB&D please include the shelf numbers on the request form.
• Audio books, such as bestsellers, biographies, and fiction, may also be available from the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). Search their on-line catalogue at www.loc.gov/nls/. If books are available from NLS, please include the shelf numbers on the request form.
• If you are requesting electronic text (e-text), the CSD will work with you to contact the publisher, www.bookshare.org, www.etext.com, etc. to determine its availability. If the material is not available from the publisher, the CSD will obtain permission from the publisher to scan and edit the material.
• At the end of each semester, students are required to return all materials to the Center for Students with Disabilities.

Assistive technology resources are also available at the CSD to any student who has participated in an orientation regarding their proper use. Please inquire with Wade Gibbs at 486-2020 or wade.gibbs@uconn.edu if you are interested in an orientation session.