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High Tech Center - Alternative Media Unit

PURPOSE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDIA

Students who cannot access standard print (including students who are blind, have low vision, have mobility impairments that impact the ability to hold texts, or have specific learning disabilities) may need their textbooks and other course materials provided in "alternate" formats. The Alternative Media Production Unit of the High Tech Center provides alternative media services for students with documented print impairments upon referral from Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD).  Students with print impairments are encouraged to discuss alternative media options with their SSWD Counselor/Specialist.

Some of the alternate formats (e.g. electronic text, digital audio book CDs) require the use of specialized hardware or software in order to access the materials. Please see the handout What is the Difference Between E-text, Digital Audio Books, and Readers? for additional clarification. Students must be trained in the use of this specialized software in order to use the alternate formats. For more information about training please view the High Tech Center web page.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION:

Watch a closed captioned video to learn more about the process of Alternative Media (electronic text) accommodations in the High Tech Center:

screenshot from e-text video

http://media1.csus.edu:8080/usr/m.descallar/HTC%20demo/HTCdemo.html

Types of Alternative Media

Type

What is it?

Where can I get it?

electronic text 

(e-text)

E-text is a data file that can be accessed by a word processor (e.g. an MS Word file is e-text) or text-to-speech software. E-text is also the basis for generating many other forms of Alternative Media.

Students can scan their own print material and convert it to e-text in the High Tech Center Lab. Students can also request e-text from the High Tech Center Alternative Media Production Unit.

Large Print

Printed text that has been enlarged to at least 14 pt font size.

Students can scan their own print material and convert it to e-text in the High Tech Center Lab. They can then increase the font size or use magnification software. Students can also request e-text from the High Tech Center Alternative Media Production Unit.

Braille

Tactile written language for blind individuals

Students can scan their own print material and convert it to Braille in the High Tech Center Lab using Braille translation software. Students can also request Braille from the High Tech Center Alternative Media Production Unit.

Tactile Graphics

Simplified graphical images that use raised lines and textures to convey information.

Students can request Tactile Graphics from the High Tech Center Alternative Media Production Unit. Students should consult with faculty to identify important graphics.

Audio Files

Digital or analog sound recording of books. New text-to-speech technology allows conversion of e-text into audio formats, such as MP3 and WAV files.

Students can convert their e-text to audio using text-to-speech software in the High Tech Center Lab. Students can discuss where to get books on tape/CD, digital audio books, reader services, and other audio options with their SSWD Counselor/ Specialist.

Table of "types of alternative media" adapted from Sacramento City College

ALTERNATIVE MEDIA POLICY

For more information on eligibility to receive instructional materials in alternative formats, please contact Services to Students with Disabilities at (916)278-6955. For students who are eligible for alternative media services, please see the Alternative Media Policy in SSWD Policies and Procedures.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS ORDERING MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

Eligibility for Alternative Media services is determined by the Services to Students with Disability Counselors/Specialists, and is based upon the professional documentation provided by the student who has "a print disability that prevents him/her from using standard instructional materials." Students must be referred to the High Tech Center from SSWD.

Ordering course materials for the semester in alternative formats from the High Tech Center requires students to submit requests for materials no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester. Requests will be honored in the order that they are received. Late requests will be honored provided that the student making the request understands that there may be a delay in receiving materials.

In order to process an e-text request, students will need to submit the following to Allison Ehresman, Alternative Media Specialist, Academic Information Resource Center Room 2010, Phone (916) 278-7915 (call first to make an appointment):

  1. course information (printout of Class Schedule to obtain book information)
  2. book information access:
    1. Retrieve from My SacState:
    2. Go to Student Services tab
      Click on Student Center
      Click on Registration OR My Class Schedule
      Click on View Textbook Summary
    3. Retrieve from CSUS.edu home page:
      Under Current Student tab click on Class Schedule
      Click on Guest Access to Section List by Subject Area
      Select Semester
      Select Subject
      Select Class
      Click on Textbook icon
    4. Only if individual assistance is needed: Take class schedule and request a textbook printout from the second floor of Bookstore
  3. proof of purchase of books (original receipts)**
  4. class syllabus (contact individual professors/departments for this)

** Textbook receipts will be stamped to indicate that alternative media is being produced for the semester.

Make an appointment with Allison to sign a contract, complete forms, review the e-text policy, and submit purchase receipts and textbook computer printouts. You must submit course information, book information, and proof of purchase of books before your request can be processed.

Students should contact the course professors and ask if they can provide the class syllabus and other handouts on disk, to facilitate conversions (see sample letter to professor). Your professor may e-mail the syllabus and other handouts directly to Allison at ehresman@csus.edu. Contact the course professor prior to the end of the semester in case they are not in Sacramento during the intersession.

Students can also try the new online Alternative Media Request Form. You will still need to bring in your books to be converted.

Reminder to Students:

If your books are not in stock at the Bookstore, you can utilize the Prepay Special Order Process where you pay for your books in advance, and the Textbook department will reserve a copy of the book for you. When it arrives you will be notified by the Hornet Bookstore. To prepay for the books on order, go to the Hornet Bookstore, Second Floor Textbook Counter, and request the “Prepay Special Order” service.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FACULTY FOR PROVISION OF STUDENT COURSE MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

SSWD must start conversion of coures materials into alternate formats several months in advance of the semester so that students with disabilities can have their materials on the first day of class. Conversion of textbooks and other mateirals may involve researching, contacting publishers, scanning, optical character recognition, editing, reformatting, and other labor-intensive tasks.  The most critical element to making this time-intensive process work is knowing what textbooks and other materials will be used for the students’ classes. 

Books and Handouts

Books: If you have been informed that you have a student with a disability needing a Braille or an alternative version of course textbooks in your class, please remember that it can take at least 8 weeks to obtain or produce a copy. Because of the time constraints, not to mention the expense involved, the Alternative Media Unit needs the book information and exactly what chapters/sections will be covered and the sequence they will be assigned at least 8 weeks before the start of the semester.  Book information needed includes: book title (indicate required or optional), author, publisher, edition, copyright date, and ISBN.

Handouts: If you have been informed that you have a student with a disability needing alternative formats, please submit syllabus, handouts, overhead transparencies, and PowerPoint presentations to the Alternative Media Production Unit of the High Tech Center, Attention: Allison Ehresman, ehresman@csus.edu, at least 3 business days in advance so the materials can be translated into Braille or other alternate format in a timely manner. Please keep in mind that if a student who is blind or has visual impairments comes to class and the instructor has decided spontaneously to give a handout or use an overhead or PowerPoint, that student will not have equal access to this information during class (unless the material is also provided in an alternative way that is accessible to the student).

Exams: To convert a student exam into an alternative format (e.g. Braille, tactile graphics, electronic text) for a student with a print-related impairment, please e-mail or deliver the exam to the High Tech Center, Attn: Allison Ehresman, ehresman@csus.edu, a minimum of 3 business days before the scheduled exam. The High Tech Center Alternative Media Unit is located in the AIRC, Room 2010, Mail Zip 6042. (During peak periods of high demand and during finals, alternative media conversion may take longer.)

If the student is taking the exam at the Testing Center, the alternative formatted version will be sealed and delivered to the Testing Center.  If the student is taking the exam elsewhere, the alternative formatted exam will be delivered to your department office.  For more information, please see the Instructions for Provision of Student Exams in Alternate Formats.

Accommodations for students who are blind or have visually impairments or other print disabilities work best when SSWD, students, faculty and staff work together to ensure equal access to all academic materials. 

RESOURCES OF MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE MEDIA

On-campus:

Repositories, Disability-Specific:

Repositories, Public Domain:

Audio:

e-Text:

Braille Formats:

Tools, Free/Lower-Cost:

Tools, Commercial:

Timely Adoption of Materials:

Resources partially compiled from CSU CAM

HOW TO USE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA PROPERLY

For students with disabilities that affect access to print materials, approaching Alternative Media as "having your computer read the books for you" is likely to result in frustration and disappointment. Students must be prepared to actively participate in the process.

In most cases, students find that making use of alternative media takes as much, if not more time as traditional reading. In addition, it often takes an entire semester to become comfortable with the use of alternate formats and assistive technology used to read those formats, particularly if one has never used them before. For students who have not had experience using any form of alternate media, a trial experience with one or two book selections is highly recommended. If students need training regarding the use of assistive technology to access alternative media, they will need to obtain training, and then reapply for alternative media services thereafter.

LOCATION/CONTACT

Location:

The Alternative Media Unit is located in the High Tech Center in the Academic Information Resource Center (AIRC) Room 2010. For more information, please call Allison Ehresman, Alternative Media Specialist, at (916) 278-7915 or e-mail htc@csus.edu. Please send High Tech Center Alternative Media Unit related comments, suggestions, and problem reports to Melissa Repa.

Mailing Address:

High Tech Center – Alternative Media Unit
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6042

SOURCES

Download reader for Word (.doc) files
Download reader for PDF files

Please inform SSWD at sswd@csus.edu if you encounter any problems accessing the SSWD web site.