Skip to main content area Skip to block navigation Skip to institutional navigation Skip to sub-navigation

Alternate Formats of Text

Students who have disabilities that affect their ability to read standard print materials may be eligible for alternate formats of text. To request and determine your eligibility for alternate formats, please schedule an appointment with director of disability services.

Disability Services (DS) offers a variety of alternate formats of text. These include, but are not limited to, the following formats:

  • Audio
  • Electreonic text (E-text)
  • Large print
  • Braille

Alternate formats may require the use of specialized hardware or software that may be provided by DS. These may include, but are not limited to, DAISY CD players, four-track tape players, MP3 players, and specialized computer software. Our staff will teach you how to use this equipment and software.

Guidelines 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 DS 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 Learning Ally 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.
  • If you are requesting that CC provide the alternate format, complete the Alternate Format Request Form. You must submit a separate form for each item you need in alternate format. DS 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 via your CC email account.
  • You may need to provide DS 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 outside vendors, 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 DS to acquire and/or produce alternate formats. The turn-around time for DS to create alternate formats varies with the subject matter, length of the work, and the quality of the book or other materials being scanned.
  • When your alternate formats are ready for use, DS will provide you with information on pick-up and/or delivery options.
  • 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 DS office.
  • Alternate formats provided by DS 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 and equipment 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 DS if you have dropped a course and/or will no longer need requested alternate formats.
  • Contact DS 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 print 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 allows 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, especially if a digital format is used.

For additional information on alternate formats or other accommodations and services, please contact Disability Services.