Alternative Textbooks

Students who have specific learning disabilities, visual disabilities, or other disabilities that interfere with access to standard printed materials may qualify for the accommodation of alternate format text (alt-text) as an auxiliary aid to provide access to printed course materials. Alternate format text means that printed materials are provided in a format other than the standard print format. Alternate text may include:

• Audio recording on CD
• Electronic text (e-text) in pdf or doc format
• Large print text
• Other formats may be provided in specific, individually assessed situations

These formats may require that the student have specialized playback equipment and/or specialized software in order to access the format. Specialized equipment may include:

• CD player from RFB&D, usually with variable speed
• standard CD player
• Computer software to read digital text aloud from the screen

Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) is an initiative of the University System of Georgia and is committed to removing barriers and providing access to knowledge for individuals with learning, physical, sensory, and print-related disabilities. CIDI partners with the educational institution and acts as a conduit through which the institution provides textbooks in a variety of alternative formats.

• The student is responsible for identifying and registering for classes as soon as possible. Once the class has been selected, the student is responsible for obtaining the required reading list, purchasing the texts and providing that information to the Disability Service Provider (“hereinafter, DSP.”)
• The DSP then contacts CIDI and orders the required texts.
• CIDI provides the text in the student’s preferred alternative format. However, if the text is not available in that format, then CIDI will provide the next available format.
• Once the text has been converted, if it is in an electronic format, it is posted online to the student's account within the CIDI Student Center. The file will be available to the student for the remainder of the current semester.
• CIDI will notify the recipient of the file transfer using the primary email address on file for the recipient.
• If the material is available on CD, it is transferred to the DSP’s office or mailed directly to the recipient using the most current mailing address on file.

Alternative Textbook Form