In order for a student to receive the Alternative Format Accommodation, they must:
- Be registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS).
- Be registered for this accommodation based on their needs, and have it documented in their accommodation letter.
- Communicate with the professor that they intend to use their accommodations in the course.
Professors will first be alerted via receipt of the Faculty Notification Letter each semester by the student. If the student is registered for Alternative Format it will be stated in the student's letter as follows:
Accommodation Letter Text:
Digital Text: "OARS will work with the student to obtain digital versions of the student's textbooks to allow the student to listen to, rather than read, course material as needed. It is the student’s responsibility to first obtain the needed textbooks, then follow the process to request digital copies of the books. It is the professor’s responsibility to provide the student a list of textbooks prior to the beginning of the course, if requested, to ensure all digital versions are available prior to the start of class."
Braille: "OARS will work with the student to obtain copies of the student's textbooks in Braille to enable the student to have accessible versions to read. It is the student’s responsibility to first obtain the needed textbooks, then follow the process to request Braille copies of the books. It is the professor’s responsibility to provide the student a list of textbooks prior to the beginning of the course, if requested, to ensure all Braille versions are available prior to the start of class."
Large Font Textbooks: "OARS will work with the student to obtain large font copies of the student's textbooks to enable the student to have accessible versions to read. It is the student’s responsibility to first obtain the needed textbooks, then follow the process to request large font copies of the books. It is the professor’s responsibility to provide the student a list of textbooks prior to the beginning of the course, if requested, to ensure all large font versions are available prior to the start of class."
OARS Responsibility | Student Responsibility | Faculty Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
Determine student eligibility for alternative format as an accommodation. The Accommodations Coordinator will register the student for Learning Ally and OrbitNote accounts (alternate text only). Once the Digital Text request form has been submitted, the Accommodations Coordinator will work to obtain a copy of the needed textbook in an alternate format. If the book is not available in the databases OARS has access to, the Accommodations Coordinator will contact the publisher to request a copy of the book in the needed format. For copies needed in a digital format, and the publisher is not able to provide a copy of the book, the Accommodations Coordinator will work with the student to create a digital copy of the book through Bethel's Print Services department. (Typically, the student's copy of the book is used to create a PDF version.) | Communicate with the professor the intention to use this accommodation by sending the Faculty Notification Letter in a timely manner. If the student does not have a copy of the syllabus, the student will email the professor requesting a list of books needed for the course. The student must purchase a copy of the needed textbook before obtaining an alternative format copy. This is to comply with copyright law. The student should check Learning Ally to see if the needed books are available (alternate text only). If the student cannot find the book in the correct format, the student should request a copy of the textbook by submitting the OARS Alternative Format Request in the needed format. | Provide the student with a list of books needed for the course including ISBN, author, publisher, and edition. |
Definition of Alternative Format: Typically a digital copy of the book as a Word or PDF document. Large font and Braille are other alternative textbook formats available.
Learning Ally: A database students can use to search for digital versions of their textbooks. Students can listen to books found in Learning Ally directly from their account. When a student is registered for this accommodation, the Accommodations Coordinator will send the student their account information.
OrbitNote: A Google Chrome extension allows students to listen to PDFs of textbooks, articles, and other course documents as well as highlight and take notes on the digital text. OrbitNote works on PDF, ePub files, and more in Google Drive, Google Classroom, websites in Chrome browser, and Moodle.
To Note: It may take 2-4 weeks to receive the alternative textbook format depending on the availability of the textbook.
Accommodation application in an online setting: This accommodation applies the same online as face-to-face.
Qualification for accommodation: Alternative format is considered an appropriate accommodation for students with a print-related disability diagnosis where they need the course material in an alternate format for the content to be accessible. This includes Learning Disabilities such as dyslexia as well as students who are blind or have a visual impairment.