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Alternate Formats of Text
Students with documented print disabilities may be eligible
for alternate formats of text. Print disabilities may prevent students
from effectively utilizing print materials and may include blindness,
low vision, specific learning disabilities, or the inability to hold a
book. To find out if you are eligible for alternate formats, please schedule
an appointment with the Director of Disability Services by calling 719-227-8285.
General Information on Alternate Formats
Colorado College offers a variety of alternate formats. These include,
but are not limited to:
Disability Services will make every effort to provide you with the format
you prefer, but we cannot guarantee that your preferred format will be
available. When your preferred format is not available, we will contact
you to discuss alternatives.
Alternate formats may require the use of specialized hardware or software.
These may include, but are not limited to, DAISY CD players, four-track
tape players, MP3 players, and specialized computer software. Disability
Services has a limited number of RFB&D DAISY CD players that students
can borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, and students can access
some specialized software on Colorado College computers. However we do
not provide software programs for students’ personal computers.
General Procedures for Requesting Materials in Alternate Formats
- You must be enrolled in the course for which you are requesting alternate
formats.
- Acquisition of alternate formats requires a joint effort on the part
of the student and the Disability Services staff.
- You can obtain information on textbooks and other materials required
for each course from the CC
Bookstore website, the bookstore's course materials coordinator
(719-389-6794), and/or your professor.
- If you have your own RFB&D and/or Talking Book Library accounts,
you should order the audio formats you need in a timely manner to ensure
that they arrive by the time you need them.
- You may also find audio formats from other resources such as Amazon.com,
iTunes, and major bookstore chains.
- If you are requesting that CC provide the alternate format, complete
the Disability Services online Alternate Format Request Form. You must
submit a separate form for each item you need in alternate format. Disability
Services will acknowledge each request within one week of receipt of
the online form. At that time, we will let you know the status of your
request.
- You may need to provide Disability Services with a copy of the course
syllabus and/or the item that you are requesting in alternate format.
- If an alternate format version of a book is not available from the
publisher, RFB&D, or other sources, we may need to scan your book
in order to provide you with the alternate format. If this is the case,
we will need to remove the binding from your book, scan it, and have
it rebound with a spiral binding.
- It is important that you allow sufficient time for Disability Services
to acquire and/or produce alternate formats. The turn-around time for
Disability Services to create alternate formats varies with the subject
matter, length of the work, and the quality of the book or other materials
being scanned. Alternate formats will be produced on a first-come, first-served
basis.
- When your alternate formats are ready for use, Disability Services
will provide you with information on pick-up and delivery options.
- Students are encouraged to stop by the Disability Services office
to listen to a sample of an e-text digital voice if they have not used
this format in the past. While for some students it is a very helpful
tool, others find the digital voice distracting.
- Due to copyright laws, students are required to purchase, when applicable,
books and/or other materials they request in an alternate format and
may be asked to present proof of purchase to the Disability Services
office.
- Alternate formats provided by Disability Services are solely for the
student's educational purposes and, in accordance with copyright law,
may not be copied, shared, or distributed. Failure to abide by this
may constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and could
result in disciplinary action.
- Students are required to return alternate format materials at the
end of the Block in which they are being used or when the materials
are no longer needed for the student's educational purposes.
- Please inform Disability Services if you have dropped a course and/or
will no longer need requested alternate formats.
- Contact Disability Services at any time if you need assistance in
requesting alternate formats.
Using Audio and E-text Formats Effectively
In most cases, students with learning disabilities find that making use
of audio and e-text formats of printed materials takes as much, if not
more, time as traditional reading. Simply listening to books is not effective
for most students. Students must be prepared to actively participate in
the process, which includes reading the printed text while listening to
the audio version, previewing the text, taking book notes, reviewing the
material, and using other learning strategies. This level of activity
will allow students to derive the maximum benefit from alternate formats.
Oftentimes, it can take new users of alternate formats several Blocks
to effectively use this accommodation. Students must consider carefully
whether they wish to make the time commitment this accommodation requires.
For students who have not had experience using audio formats, a trial
experience with one or two book selections is highly recommended.
For additional information on alternate formats or other accommodations
and services, please contact Jan
Edwards (719-227-8285; jedwards@coloradocollege.edu)
or Patti Spoelman (719-389-6168;
pspoelman@coloradocollege.edu).
(Revised 8/08)
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