Alternate media are textbooks, instructional materials, and other printed materials that have been converted into:
• Braille
• Electronic Text (E-text)
• Audiotape or audiofile
• Large Print
• Tactile Graphics

Alternate media is available to students who have print impairments and cannot access information through traditional print materials. In the classroom, this may include textbooks, handouts and exams. Other college materials, such as the class schedule, publicity materials, or program brochures will be made available in these alternate formats, on request.

Students are encouraged to independently access print materials, when possible. In order to use this equipment, students need to have received training available through the Assistive Technology Training Center, or demonstrate to Assistive Technology Staff that they are qualified to do so.

Equipment has been placed in various locations on campus including:
• Closed Circuit Television Enlargers
--to enlarge print up to 60X magnification
--available in: Seminar, the CAOS lab, the Learning Center, and ATTC lab
--available to loan for classroom applications
• Computer stations with scanning capability
--to convert materials to audiotape or file, Braille, print or disk
--available in the Learning Center, Open Media Lab and ATTC lab

If you need materials converted for you, the Alternate Media Specialist handles requests after consultation with you, your DSS counselor/EDC advisor and the class instructor. The Alternate Media Specialist will evaluate materials and assist students to select the most appropriate and effective alternative format medium.

Steps to obtain Alternate Media materials:
For all requests, see your DSS counselor/EDC first for an Alternate Media Authorization Form. This is required once per quarter prior to your requesting materials in alternate media format.
1. Take the completed Authorization Form to the Alternate Media Specialist.

2. You are now ready to submit requests for materials for the quarter, using the procedures listed below.

3. Alternative media materials will be picked up and returned to the Student Delivery desk in Seminar 2A.

To request a required textbook:
a. Contact the Bookstore or use its website to obtain information about required books, including titles, authors, edition and ISBN numbers.
b. If the Bookstore cannot provide information, contact the instructor directly or the Division office.
c. Provide information on Alternate Media Request Form directly to Alternate Media Specialist (AMS).

IMPORTANT NOTES:
•Begin the process as soon as you register for classes. Adequate time is required to research sources for obtaining textbooks or for production.
•Large print texts are expensive and limited in availability. Alternatives such as CCTV, tape or E-text may be more feasible solutions.

To request class handouts:
a. Inform your instructor as he/she can often provide them directly to you on disk, or can print a large print copy or have Print Services do so.
b. If the instructor is not able to do so, submit materials with an Alt. Media Request Form. If necessary, the AMS will coordinate with the instructor to obtain materials.
c. It is preferable to provide all the handouts for entire quarter together as early as possible.

To request supplemental course materials:
a. Specify materials required to complete course requirements on the Alternate Media Request Form.
b. Your instructor must sign the form approving the materials.
c. Provide form and materials to AMS who will either accept the project or suggest alternative materials for your use, with your instructor’s approval.

To request exams:
a. See your counselor/advisor for a Test Accommodation Verification Form (TAV).
b. Follow the policy and procedures for test accommodations.
c. The Testing Proctor will arrange for conversion of the test into alternate media with the AMS after you have made your testing appointment.
d. It is best to coordinate testing appointments and materials for the entire quarter, if possible.

Steps to Obtain General College Materials in Alternate Media:
1. Ask staff member if material is available in electronic format, on the Web, or in alternate media in the college office.

2. If not, obtain a print version of the requested materials, if an electronic version is not available.

3. Deliver materials and Alternate Media Request Form to the Alternate Media Specialist.

4. If you need assistance, you may request that the AMS contact the College department to consult on providing the alternate media.

Policy
• Course materials must be submitted in a timely manner. Delivery dates are determined on a case by case basis. Upon review of material to be formatted and converted, the student will be notified of the projected completion date. Time required is determined by the original source material format, the conversion process, the scope of the project, and the project schedule and priority system.
• Production will follow this priority order: examination material, required text books, class handouts, required and instructor-approved supplemental course materials, general college materials.
• The college will not produce materials which are not directly related to instruction, or required to provide access to college public information.
• Large print materials will be enlarged twice original size, unless otherwise specified.
• Preference is given to the format specified by the student. The Alternate Media Specialist may consult with the student and the counselor/advisor to determine and recommend the specific media format.
• Textbooks to be scanned may have the spine removed if quantity exceeds ten pages.
• Proof of purchase is required to obtain a publisher’s e-text copy or for alternate media production of any materials which the college requires students to buy.
• The student may not copy or reproduce any alternate media provided by Special Education, nor allow anyone else to do so. Electronic files are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed in a format other than that specifically provided for use by student with a disability. Any further reproduction or use is a copyright infringement. Misuse of alternate media may result in disciplinary action.
• Students will be provided with one alternate format for each material required.
• Test accommodation services that include alternative media must be arranged with the test proctor one week ahead of the exam date, unless an exception is made through your counselor/advisor.

Steps to Obtain Textbooks on Audiotape:
1. De Anza has an institutional membership with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD) for students who do not have their own membership.

2. Book orders may require 6 weeks or more.
As soon as you register for classes:
•obtain book information from the De Anza website, Bookstore, or instructor
•provide the following book information
a. title
b. author
c. edition no.
d. publication date
e. ISBN no.

3. Fill out and submit an Alternate Media Request Form.

4. You may check for availability the RFBD website (www.rfbd.org) and obtain the shelf number or ask that the Alternate Media Specialist do so for you.

5. When your taped books arrive, they may be picked up in the Seminar Building.

6. If the book is not available on tape, you will be advised of options, including:
•providing print texts to RFB for taping
•contacting your Department of Rehabilitation counselor, if you are a client, to request funds to hire a reader to tape the book.
•contacting Department of Rehabilitation, if you are blind, to apply for “non-client reader funds” to hire a reader
•scanning your textbook

Policy
• Taped books are loaned for one quarter only.
• Tapes must be returned by the last day of final exams unless other arrangements have been made with the Alternate Media Specialist.