Alternative Text Formatting
Alternative Text Formatting Service
DRS offers alternative text formatting for students with documented disabilities who require texts in media other than regular print, if certain conditions are met:
- Eligibility for the need for such service, based on the limiting nature of the disability
- Formatting service is limited to materials that are required, or specifically recommended, for participation in courses or programs sponsored by Temple University.
- Material that is already available electronically on the Internet or other online libraries/databases will not be scanned for students. DRS will work with the student to enable them to independently access this available material.
- Converted materials are intended only for the student who requires and has requested them. Further reproduction or distribution may be an infringement of copyright law.
- If material is copyright protected, students must agree to purchase print copy prior to DRS initiating a search or scan to convert it. In compliance with federal law, verification of a paid receipt will be required before any copyrighted material is given to a student in any reformatted format.
- Students are responsible for submitting specific course and text data including the name of the course and instructor, book title, author, ISBN, edition, printing date and publisher to DRS staff.
- Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least two weeks prior to the start of a semester.
DRS will determine the most reasonable manner for obtaining a usable format. This could include, but is not limited to, the following: Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D), Bookshare.org, American Printing House (APH) and Louis database, individual publishers, or on-site scanning.
If DRS staff decides to scan texts for a qualified student, it will be necessary for the student to produce a clean copy of the text. DRS will most likely need to unbind the text for scanning purposes. DRS will return the separated pages to the student with the scanned copy. Students may wish to have the pages rebound, but DRS staff does not take responsibility for this service or the cost involved. DRS will produce scanned texts in a readable format that has been edited to the best degree practical; however, DRS cannot commit to perfect editing of all requested texts.
Students should have hardware and software necessary to read electronic texts. This may include software such as Kurzweil 3000/1000, JAWS, WINDOW-EYES, ZOOMTEXT, eClipse and MS Office Suite (WORD). Hardware such as the Victor CD-Player may also be necessary. Although students are encouraged to pursue personal equipment, DRS staff may be able to direct students to some sources of equipment for loan or limited usage upon request. Software programs necessary to read most scanned texts are available in most Temple University computer laboratories. Students are expected to make arrangements to deliver and obtain materials from DRS offices.
Individual memberships and specialized equipment may be obtained from:
Library for the Blind
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-683-3213
800-222-1754
http://www.library.phila.gov/lbh/lbh.htm
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
20 Roszel Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
609- 452-0606
866- RFBD-585
National Library for the Blind
1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
800-424-8567
202-707-0744 TTY
202-707-0712 FAX
Bookshare
The Benetech Initiative |
Newspapers are now available by telephone through the National Federation of the Blind Newsline. Membership inquiries can be made to 1-866-504-7300 or
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Newspapers_by_Phone.asp