The following policy document has been developed to provide information and direction regarding the alternative text services the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office provides, as well as guidelines relative to how these services may be obtained from this office. This policy will be reviewed and modified on a regular basis to meet the ongoing needs of students with visually impairment and print disabilities at Loyola College in Maryland. Students who request books in Alternative Format are responsible for the information in the policy.
Click here if you know the policies and your responsibilities and want to use the on-line request form.
Recipients of Alternative Text
Alternative text may only be requested by students registered with DSS who have been approved for this accommodation.
Requests for Alternative Text
Alternative text must be requested each semester for each text needed, and the student must be enrolled in the course for which the alternate text is being requested.
Purchasing of Materials to be Scanned by DSS, or Provided by Publisher
The student must purchase text books which are being scanned or ordered from publishers. The student must provide proof of the purchase before he or she receives alternative material from the DSS office.
Submission of Requests
Requests for alternate texts should be submitted by completing the on-line request form. A separate request form must be completed for each alternate text requested. If students need assistance with the on-line forms, they should call (410) 617-2750.
Alternate text requests should be submitted as soon as possible. Ideally, once a student enrolls in a course, he or she should try to get the reading list for the course from the instructor or the bookstore. Request are processed in the order they are received.
Turn-around Times
Turn-around times for alternate text requests are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Alternate text production for formatted text will begin when DSS has received the on-line request form, the hardcopy textbook and the instructor's course syllabus. Students should expect that they will not receive hard copy materials back from the DSS for about three weeks.
In order to meet immediate needs of as many students as possible, formatted alternate text may be provided in stages based on the course syllabus and direction from the requesting student.
Working with Publishers
DSS will make every effort to work with publishers to receive e-text in a timely manner and in a useable format. DSS will request e-text directly from publishers if the student does not want his or her book scanned, or if the book cannot be provided by other resources.
Scanning
If the alternate text request is for formatted text and it cannot be located through other resources, DSS will scan the hard copy materials. The time frame will be established on a case-by-case basis based on student need.
Format Request
When students choose to request unformatted e-text (text in its native format from the publisher) hard copy materials will not be required. DSS’s ability to deliver unformatted text is impacted by the publisher’s response to the request for e-text. All requests for unformatted e-text will be made for a preferred and useable format.
Students may also have a need to request formatted/edited text. Requests for formatted e-text will require the student to electronically submit a copy of the on-line request. The student will also need to deliver the hard copy textbook and instructor's class syllabus to the DSS Office.
Hard Copy Text Conversion
Students can locally produce hard copy alternate text (Braille, large print) from electronic files provided by DSS for their personal use.
Student Use of Scanner
Students can scan materials using a scanner in the DSS office.
Canceling or Modifying Requests
In the event that a student drops the class, or there is a change in the materials needed to be provided, the student should notify DSS immediately.
This policy was adapted with permission from the Alternate Text Production Center (ATPC) of the California Community Colleges’ policy. 11/2006
