General Information
Alternate media provides access to individuals that experience barriers with printed text. Students with alternate media may request all course materials, including textbooks, supplemental readings, and exams.
Examples of individuals who may benefit from alternate media include:
- Individuals who are blind or have low vision. Materials can be provided in accessible formats such as accessible word (.docx) files, enlarged print, or braille.
- Individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities. Digital versions of textbooks can be provided that work with multiple forms of assistive technology. Assistive technology can then aid with focus, processing, and comprehension.
- Individuals with motor function/mobility disabilities that present barriers with handling physical media. Digital media can be provided that works with assistive technologies such as switch or scanning inputs.
Eligibility
Students must be registered with Disability Resource Services and have alternate media approved as an accommodation by their disability advisor. For more information on registering for accommodations, please visit our "how to register for services" page.
Common formats provided:
- Electronic Text
- Enlarged Print
- Braille
- Audio Description
Other Formats may be provided to students with a need and after approval from their disability advisor.
NOTE: For information on Real Time Captioning (RTC), Captioning on videos, and American Sign Language accommodations, please visit our Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services page.
Setting up Alternate Media
Students are referred to the alternate media coordinator by their disability advisor. Before utilizing services, students must do the following:
- Meet with the alternate media coordinator. In this meeting, the alternate media coordinator and the student will determine the best format for the student's needs.
- Review and sign the alternate media policy. The alternate media policy covers the expected responsibilities of the student and the Disability Resource Services office. The policy can be reviewed on our "documents and forms" page.
- Access their shared OneDrive file. Digital files are provided to students through their campus Microsoft 365 OneDrive account. Hard copies of materials can be picked up in the DRS office.
- Install software (if applicable). Disability Resource Services provides access to some assistive technology free of charge. However, students are welcome to use their own assistive technology. We will work with students to provide a format that best works with their unique setup.
Requesting Materials
Students must submit an Alternate Media Request Form each semester to receive materials.
Students can request any course materials for conversion to alternate format. To request materials, please fill out our Online Request Form. Students may attach files of course materials, such as articles provided by professors, to the online request form. Alternate, paper versions are available in the DRS office.
Students should request their course materials as soon as possible after registering for classes. Requests are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The turnaround time for textbook conversion is around 4 weeks. Turnaround time for single articles is usually around 48 hrs. Students are responsible for submitting requests, we will not prepare materials without a request form.
Exams
Students must have testing accommodations approved to receive exams in alternate format. Students do not need to submit anything extra for exams. Alternate media exam preferences are set up at the initial meeting with the alternate media coordinator. Exams are automatically processed into alternate format when a student schedules an exam in the DRS office.
Receiving Materials
Course materials are uploaded to a shared OneDrive folder. When course materials are complete, an email notification will be sent to the student requesting materials. The OneDrive folder link is provided in the email and can be bookmarked or added to the Course materials can be accessed by login at any time and are available to download. Course materials are cleared from the drive at the end of each semester.
If a student needs to receive their course materials another way, please contact the Alternate Media Specialist at kridley1@csustan.edu or via phone at (209) 667-3159.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can submit a request if your textbooks are not listed yet. Please fill out the course information in the alt media request. When asked for the title of your book, you can write, "not listed", "unknown", etc. Your request will still be processed.
When you find out what your books are, you can update the alternate media staff at drsaltmedia@csustan.edu.
Yes! You can submit a request for textbooks without proof of purchase. You will just need to provide proof of purchase (usually a purchase or rental receipt) to Disability Resource Services before your textbooks are released to you. Receipts can be turned in to the DRS office in person, attached to the alternate media request form, or emailed to drsaltmedia@csustan.edu.
Yes! The process for rental books is the same as purchased books. Instead of a purchase receipt, you can turn in your rental receipt. However, please keep in mind that we cannot scan rented textbooks.
No. You only need to show a purchase or rental receipt. We reach out to publishers to receive digital files that we can convert for students.
If the publisher cannot provide us a digital copy, we will ask you if we can scan your textbook. You will bring your textbook to the office and we will cut the binding off the book and scan it with one of our production scanner. If you do not wish to let us scan your textbook at this point, we will then cancel your request.
Yes. If you would like additional readings converted, submit an alternate media request. Indicate via the checkbox option that you would like supplemental materials converted.
Updated: March 21, 2025