Procedures for Textbooks in Alternative Formats - Graduates

Request the Accommodation

Students must specifically request the accommodation of textbooks in alternative format from DAS. DAS can only approve this accommodation if a student’s documentation supports the need for the format they are requesting.

Sign up for Bookshare

If you are approved for the accommodation of textbooks in alternative formats, and you require digital textbooks, you must apply for an individual membership with Bookshare. Please email your DAS advisor to confirm that you have completed the membership application, so that they can contact Bookshare and verify your eligibility.

DAS will also send you a list of other resources where you can locate textbooks in accessible digital formats, such as Vital Source.

Identify and search for your books in the format you need.

Graduate students should consult their course syllabi and the Loyola Bookstore website to determine the textbooks required for each of their courses. After identifying your required textbooks, you must search Bookshare, Vital Source, and other available resources to see if you can procure them on your own.

Submit a Request in the DAS Portal If an Alternative Format is Needed

If you are unable to locate a textbook in the format you need, you must log in to the DAS portal and submit a request for the book via the Alternative Formats link under the “Accommodations” heading on the left side of the portal. Please also email your DAS advisor to let them know you have submitted a request.

DAS will contact you to provide the book or request follow up information.

Turnaround Times

While timeframes vary, it generally takes DAS 2-3 weeks to source books in alternative formats. Therefore, we strongly suggest students begin this process 30 days prior to the start of the semester.

Accessing Digital textbooks

Graduate students who require textbooks in accessible digital formats are expected to access the books using their own screen reader or text-to-speech software. Please contact your DAS advisor if you have any questions about this.