Disability Services has developed a system of document conversion services for students who require documents in alternate formats. Many students are now using this support.  For more information about the process, check out this link: E-text on CD-ROM. 

The most critical factor in arranging any alternate format documents, other than what the instructor can provide immediately on disk, is lead time. The text conversion process takes time, as does listening to the converted format. Instructors who plan ahead and have their documents prepared well in advance do the most to ensure their students will have "read" the material in advance of the class sessions when they will be discussed.

Professors who spontaneouly make copies of documents for distribution and discussion in class should take into account the print limitations of some students. Organization of instruction should include opportunities for students with print limitations to process the information before it is used in class. This is not meant to discourage spontaneity, but to raise instructor awareness of the need to provide sufficient time and opportunity for processing the information. In many cases, providing the student with an electronic copy of handouts/readings (via e-mail or by posting to the Q drive) has been a very effective method of getting the information the student needs in a timely manner.

Braille documents in paper format may also be available, but this requires considerable lead time. This option should be used only selectively for documents to which a student must have ready access to permanent copies and can only be utilized when the materials are available at least one month in advance.