Overview & Alternate Format 101:

The Office of Disability Resources works to convert materials and books to an Alternate Format (audio, electronic text, enlargements or Braille) for students with the approved accommodation.  It is our goal to have the re-formatted materials to the student's  within a reasonable time frame. But students must remember that the alternate format forms must be submitted in a timely manner for this to occur. If an alternate format request is received by the indicated deadline, the student should be able to receive the reformatted materials prior to the start of the semester. The Program Coordinator will always work to provide an estimated time frame for conversion completion. 

Our initial tasks include assuring that the student has purchased the textbook needed, and checking to see if alternate format is readily available  in the manner that the student has indicated (audio, electronic text, enlargements, Braille). We will first check our Disability Resources library, and then consult our various vendors (Learning Ally, Access Text, Bookshare). If the resources are not available through one of those vendors then we will create the alternate format needed. The alternate format process typically takes 5-15 business days to complete, depending on the method in which you have selected to convert your materials.

Vendors  & Various Conversion Methods

Learning Ally -Provides audio textbooks to students to help meet their learning needs. The Learning Ally company has over 70,000 texts available. These audio textbooks are played utilizing a device called a Victor Reader. If your specific text is not available via Learning Ally we will then provide you with an electronic version of your textbook and you can utilize our text-to-speech software (Read OutLoud or Kurzweil).

Access Text -Access Text provides textbooks and other reading materials to students in an electronic format. Access text offers various formats (pdf, word, rich text). The student can utilize the electronic format on their personal computers or you can utilize our text-to-speech software and turn it into a audio format.

Bookshare - This company provides textbooks to students in electronic format. This site is only for students with a documented disability. It offers numerous titles and can meet the needs of multiple users.

Kansas Braille Institute - ODR works with this company to create printed braille materials for students with visual needs. We typically will use the Kansas Braille Institute for large braille conversions. We will emboss our own braille materials here in the office for smaller requests.

 

How to Submit Request for Alternate Format Conversion

• Complete a alternate format request. These forms can be found in our office (Graham 116) or online at www.longwood.edu/disability under the current students section.

• Once the form is complete it will be processed by the Program Coordinator. It typically takes 24-48hrs to process the form. Once the form is processed the Program Coordinator will contact the student and request additional information if needed and/or provide the student with the appropriate deadline for completion.

• The student should visit the website and be on the lookout for mailers and other information regarding alternate format due dates. Requests can be submitted at any point during the semester, but priority is given to those that meet our deadlines.  How to Submit Request for Alternate Format Conversion

Alternate Format Request (pdf)