Definition
"Alternate Media" is defined as instructional materials, textbooks, college publications, and/or library materials in formats accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. The determination of the most suitable format of support should be made by DSS credentialed staff, and whenever possible should be provided in the format preferred by the student [California Community Colleges Alternate Media Guidelines, 2000][Title V, Section IIA(b)(7)].
In efforts to comply with the fore-mentioned guidelines, Disability Support Services provide the following alternate media services: reading services (audio), Braille and tactile graphics conversion of course materials and handouts, print enlarging, and electronic text (E-text).
Eligibility
Alternate media services will be provided to students who have a verified disability and whose disability related limitations prevent them from accessing print in its standard, or published format.
Books on CD
Textbooks and course materials can be scanned and electronically read into a Wave or MP3 format and burned onto a CD. Textbooks can also be obtained on audiotape from the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
Brailled and Tactile Graphics
Braille is a system of reading and writing for blind individuals.... Tactile Graphics allows diagrams printed on special heat-sensitive paper to be heated in a specialized device to produce raised lines and images. Many Braille embossers can, using specialized software, produce some simple tactile graphics." [California Community Colleges Alternate Media Guidelines, 2000]
Print Enlarging
Print enlarging is the magnification of print from e-text, textbooks, and course materials. "Producing large print copies of course materials is simple if the document is not too lengthy and is available in electronic text, although some formatting may be necessary. Relatively few textbooks are available in large print and those that are tend to be expensive. One alternative to hard copy large print is the use of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system which permits magnification of the page being viewed.... use of a CCTV may not be appropriate for accessing reference works or for handling some types of in-class assignments." [California Community Colleges Alternate Media Guidelines, 2000] DVC currently has Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV's) in the High Tech Center (LC107), Student Services (SS 211), Student Services (SS 202A) the Transfer Center (C107), the Library and the San Ramon Valley Center for student use. CCTV's are also available to be transported to classrooms upon request.
Electronic Text (E-Text)
Electronic text is a version of textbooks and course materials available from a computer text file. This may take the (E-text) form of a Microsoft Word document (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), or Plain text (.txt). "E-text has emerged as a convenient and popular method of providing access for those who cannot use standard printed materials. Individuals who are partially sighted can use E-text by taking advantage of built-in options within many standard software applications (e.g., adjusting font size) or through the use of specialized screen magnification software (i.e., ZoomText). E-text can also be used with screen reading software (i.e., Kurzweil) to output the text to a speech synthesizer or refreshable Braille display. The main advantage of E-text is that it can be easily stored, can be searched and indexed, and can be converted to large print or hard copy Braille through use of a translation program." [California Community Colleges Alternate Media Guidelines, 2000]
POLICY
1. Alternate media services may be provided for eligible students with disabilities who would benefit from this service in the instructional setting. Students must be registered in the course for which they are receiving alternate media. In most cases, materials will be delivered in one of the following manners:
2. Under the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement between the Department of Rehabilitation and the state Chancellor's Office, students who are legally blind and clients of the Department of Rehabilitation will receive audio taped and Braille textbook services from that department. All other course handouts and/or materials will be converted into accessible formats by DSS.
3. Students utilizing alternate media services are responsible for providing Alternate Media Specialist (AMS) with course textbook information, a copy of the syllabus, and/or copies of the course handouts and materials for each class in which alternate media is requested, in a timely manner. Eligible students are also encouraged to request from their instructors all course materials, including handouts and tests, in e-text (on disk or via e-mail).
4. Students are responsible for informing the AMS (SS202A) whenever changes occur that affect the students' need for alternate media.
5. Students are responsible for supplying CD/R if they are to be used for the alternate media.
6. DSS has a limited number of tape recorders, Alpha-smart keyboards or CD/MP3 players which may be checked out through the AMS in SS202A. (see Equipment Loan Contract). Information about purchasing any of the equipment is available through the AMS.
7. E-texts, tapes and CD will be used solely for the eligible student's own educational purposes and will not be copied or duplicated for use by others.
8. Failure to comply with these terms may result in termination of this service.
PROCEDURE
1. Students must first meet with a DSS Counselor to verify their disability and the educational limitations that necessitate textbooks and course materials in alternate formats.
2. If eligible for alternate media, students will be refereed to the AMS to complete the Alternate Media Contract and in so doing will agree to supply necessary information, textbooks and course materials. SS202A.
3. Once the signed contract has been completed, the AMS will initiate the process for acquiring and/or creating the format preferred by the students. If the eligible student requests their books in e-text, the AMS will initiate the process by contacting the publisher for the e-text or scanning the book and in doing so the AMS may request the book from the student so it can be scanned.
4. The AMS will notify the student when the requested textbook or course handouts and materials have been formatted and are available to be picked up.
5. When textbooks or course materials are required by students before they are available in alternate formats, students will be directed to the High Tech Center & Library Quiet Room to use a reading software (Kurzweil) that scans and reads printed material.
Note:
DSS no longer hires readers to read textbooks on to auto tape. However DSS is still providing auto format of textbooks in the form of Wave's or MP3 files.
RFB&D Membership
DSS purchases an annual institutional membership to the Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). This membership is intended to allow students, during their first semester of eligibility, to expeditiously acquire their textbooks in an audio taped format, and determine the usefulness of this method of accessing their textbooks.
If students find RFB&D services beneficial during their first semester of use, they will be strongly advised, unless there are extenuating circumstances, to become an individual member of RFB&D. DSS staff will provide assistance to students with the application process for individual membership, and training regarding textbook request procedures. If membership dues represent a financial hardship to a student, alternate funding options will be explored.
E-Text (Electronic Textbook)
The acquisition of textbooks in E-text for students offers numerous advantages, including flexibility converting to various formats (Braille, enlarged print, use with computer technologies). The disadvantage is that pictures, graphs, charts and other visual images are often eliminated from the E-text versions in order for publishers to convert their standard text files. In the event that graphics are necessary to supplement course content for students who are blind, the AMS will create the graphics with a tactile image-maker.
Alternative Technology
Students may also use a variety of assistive technology software and hardware in the High Tech Center to meet their immediate needs to convert textbooks, handouts and other course materials into their preferred format. Among the choices, students may use an advanced easy-to-use scan and read system (Kurzweil) that converts text into an on-screen visual presentation of the scanned text and images, and then reads the words aloud in clear, natural-sounding synthetic speech. In addition, this speech can be audio taped as it is being read. This program has additional benefits as a compensatory aid to improve reading speed and comprehension.
Equipment
