Alternative Format Request Process
Disability Support Services provides alternative formats to students approved for this accommodation. The process students must follow is outlined below.
Step 1: Check your materials.
Confirm course materials for your classes:
- Check the CBC Bookstore website.
- Check the syllabus or addendum for each class.
- Contact your instructor(s) for clarification or more information, as necessary.
Step 2: Find available e-textbooks.
Find available electronic textbooks that meet your needs without requiring an alternative format request through Disability Support Services.
Suitability of e-textbooks will depend on your specific learning needs. Students who need to listen to their textbooks may find e-textbook or audiobook options available that offer instant online access. Check available features before making a rental or purchase.
Not sure whether an e-textbook or audiobook will meet your specific learning needs? Contact your accessibility specialist or Disability%20Support%20Services%20%28dssFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN%29 for help BEFORE finalizing your purchase or rental decisions.
Some sources of electronic materials:
Purchase or rent electronic textbooks with built-in read-aloud (text-to-speech) support, resizable text (increase or decrease text size), and study tools.
Learn to find and use electronic texts on VitalSource.
Purchase or rent electronic textbooks with built-in read-aloud (text-to-speech) support, resizable text (increase or decrease text size), and study tools.
Learn to find and use electronic texts on RedShelf.
Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org/ebooks/)
Access free e-books for books in the public domain. Use Project Gutenberg e- books with the ReadSpeaker Browser Extension for read-aloud (text-to-speech).
LibriVox (librivox.org/search)
Access free audiobooks read by volunteer readers.
Step 3: Submit proof of purchase.
Determine course reading materials you need to make an alternative format request for.
Provide proof of purchase via email to Disability Support Services Assistive Technology staff at atcFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN. Attach a digital photo of your sales receipt or a photo of the textbook(s) you have purchased or rented. Did you purchase or rent your textbook online? You can also forward a copy of the email invoice or other electronic proof of purchase.
Step 4: Activate ReadSpeaker.
Activate your CBC ReadSpeaker account if you have not done so.
Step 5: Listen to your books.
For e-textbooks from VitalSource or RedShelf: Access your books via the platform. Be sure to make note of your username and password for easy access! Text-to-speech (read-aloud) is available right on the platform.
For free textbooks or audiobooks: You can access these online resources right away. Use the ReadSpeaker Browser Extension for read-aloud (text-to-speech) support with e-books. Audiobooks can play right in your browser.
For alternative format materials from Disability Support Services:
- Log in to ReadSpeaker TextAid.
- Open your library. The Library icon is located at the top left of the TextAid screen, in navigation menu.
- Find the Shared with Me tab. Your materials will be available here!
Watch the video: Getting started with ReadSpeaker TextAid for digital texts.
Service Timeline for Alternative Formats through Disability Support Services
Making your alternative format request through Disability Support Services? Register
for classes, activate your accommodations, and provide proof of purchase for your
textbook(s) following the timeline below to avoid delays in receiving your texts.
- Digital textbooks for text-to-speech (via ReadSpeaker): At least 4 weeks before the first day of the quarter
- Braille, tagged PDFs, or edited Word documents (non-STEM): At least 6 weeks before the first day of the quarter
- Tactile graphics (non-STEM): At least 7 weeks before the first day of the quarter
- STEM Braille, tagged PDFs, or edited Word documents (including mathematics): At least 8 weeks before the first day of the quarter
- STEM tactile graphics (including mathematics): At least 9 weeks before the first day of the quarter
