Alternate Format Text Services

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LAS staff will search for and order textbooks in alternate format (e.g., DAISY, braille, large print, or e-text) from external suppliers and publishers on behalf of students who are registered with the CSD and have been referred by their CSD advisor. Staff will also transcribe and edit textbooks and course materials that are not available from external resources for students who, because of a physical disability, require help performing these tasks.

Ordering Alternative-format Course Materials

• If you have not used the our alt-format text services before, set up an appointment with the LAS Coordinator to discuss the different format options. Try to meet at least two months before the semester in which the alternative format material is required.
• Provide the LAS Coordinator with a list of your required courses for the semester in which the alternative format material is required as soon as you have selected them — include course codes, titles and section numbers. Please also indicate your desired text format. Supplying this information early will increase the likelihood that you will receive your preferred choice of format in a timely manner. This is especially important if you are interested in using DAISY textbooks.

Picking up Alternate-Format Course Materials

• Stay in contact with the LAS Coordinator to know what texts can be provided to you in alternate format and when and where you can pick up your materials.
• Before receiving alt-format copies of your textbooks, you must first provide the LAS Coordinator with proof of purchase (e.g., a sales receipt) for each text you require. The receipts will be copied and returned. You will also need to read over and sign a copyright agreement governing the usage of your alt-format materials.

If Electronic Copies of Texts Cannot be Located Through External Suppliers

• Students without physical disabilities who use texts in electronic format will be expected to scan personal copies of their textbooks if the LAS staff is unable to find an external supplier or publisher that can provide e-text. Access to scanners (including a high-speed scanner) is provided to students in the LAS computer lab.
• It should be understood that, in order to scan texts quickly and efficiently, it may be necessary to unbind them. University Design and Print, located in the basement of the University Centre, will unbind and rebind texts for a small fee.& Students should first confirm with the LAS Coordinator which texts are unavailable from external sources before unbinding their texts for scanning.
• LAS staff will digitize texts for students who, because of a physical disability, experience difficulty performing this task unaided. However, student texts that are brought to LAS staff for scanning may, with the approval of the student, have to be unbound in order to expedite the scanning process.

Student's Responsibilities

• Notify the LAS Coordinator if your required readings change during the semester or if you add or drop courses.
• Follow any copyright restrictions placed on the use of your alternate-format materials.
• Return materials promptly at the end of each semester where indicated — any fines charged by suppliers for lost or overdue materials will be passed on to the user.

LAS Alt-Format Text Services and Timeliness

• LAS staff  will endeavour to provide students with their preferred text format in a timely manner. However, due to factors beyond our control (e.g., late requests, lack of course information or availability of texts, transcription difficulties raised by text quality or subject matter, unexpected workload, or the schedules of external suppliers and transcription companies), we cannot guarantee that students will receive alt-format materials within the timelines required for their courses.  If this situation occurs, students may have to seek an accommodation with their instructor or consider using formats other than their preferred one.
• Due to the high demand for the LAS in-house transcription services, students using this service will most likely receive their text materials incrementally and not as a complete text at the beginning of the semester. In these situations, the LAS staff will endeavour to provide students with course readings in the week before they are required for class.

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