Through a variety of means, and in as timely a manner as possible, ODS acquires or creates books, texts, and articles in enlarged print, on tape, or on compact disc for the student with this accommodation.  Please be aware that this accommodation has the potential to take longer to facilitate than any other accommodation, 6-8 weeks or more in some cases.  Late requests may result in a delay of materials.  Self-determination and self-advocacy are crucial for the student during this process.

Obtaining Relevant Textbook Information as soon as it is Available:

The student is responsible for obtaining all relevant textbook information as soon as it is available. This information is available to students in one or more of the following three ways:

• by contacting the instructor of the course;
• by contacting the instructor’s department, usually the departmental secretary;
• by contacting the Tulane Bookstore at (504) 865-5913.

Instructors also occasionally list required texts online.  If you have difficulty obtaining this information, contact the ODS Accommodations Coordinator.

Timely Communication of Textbook Information to the Accommodations Coordinator Each Semester:

Students must meet with the Accommodations Coordinator during their initial ODS intake to go over these procedures.  During subsequent semesters, it is recommended but not necessary to meet with the Coordinator; however, the student must still communicate their contact information and all relevant textbook information to the Coordinator well before each semester to effectively facilitate this accommodation.  The responsibility of contacting the Accommodations Coordinator to initiate this service each semester falls to the student, not to ODS.  As mentioned earlier, late requests will most probably result in a delay of materials. 

As with any accommodation, students can always opt not to use the alternate text service for a semester or indefinitely.  Students can also use their personal accounts with an alternate text provider such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).  In either case, contacting the Accommodation Coordinator is not necessary.

The Format of the List of Needed Texts:

Students must provide the Accommodations Coordinator with a written or typed list of the texts needed.  ODS strongly prefers that students provide a copy of the official course syllabus in which the instructor has listed the required texts for the course.  Students may choose to receive alternate formats of all required texts for every class or only certain texts for select classes; therefore, the submitted list must be complete, legible, and clearly indicate the texts and courses for which alternate texts are needed.  The Accommodations Coordinator will make very effort to provide the alternate texts indicated but is not responsible for delays or errors caused by illegible or poorly marked lists.

The Options Available to the ODS Accommodations Coordinator:

ODS makes every attempt to provide these texts promptly and in the format requested by the student; however, the Accommodations Coordinator will give precedence to the most expedient manner in which to obtain materials.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires priority consideration be given to the student’s preferred method of accommodation, but ODS maintains the right to determine the reasonableness of a request and choose among the suitable, effective techniques that are available.

Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D):

RFB&D is a membership-based service that provides books in alternate formats, specifically audio recordings on tape and compact disc.  The Accommodations Coordinator contacts RFB&D to determine if the text indicated is available in alternate format.  The text is ordered immediately if it is available.  Once ordered,alternate texts are often delivered within a matter of days, but it can take as long as 3 to 6 weeks for an alternate text to come from RFB&D.

Other Sources of Alternate Texts:

The Accommodations Coordinator can contact other providers of alternate texts such as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH).  Like RFB&D, deliveries from other sources can take 3 to 6 weeks from time of order.

The Publisher:

The Accommodations Coordinator can also contact the publisher of the text.  Due to changes in Federal Law, some publishers are now required to publish textbooks in alternate formats; however, not all titles are available as yet.  Before providing alternate formats, publishing houses require proof that the student has purchased the book.  Students may therefore be required to produce a receipt of purchase to ODS upon demand.  Publishers most commonly provide written works in e-text via CD or email.  These would be delivered or forwarded to the student by ODS.

Alternate Format Texts Created by ODS:

ODS has the ability to create alternate format texts in two ways:

1. ODS hires a student worker to scan and edit the text as a Word document which is then provided to the student on CD.
2. ODS hires a student worker to read the text onto audiotape or audio-CD.

Both of these methods require ODS to have an original copy of the text needed.  The student is required to purchase the text and submit it to ODS if needed.  Note that the binding of texts may need to be removed to enable clear and expedient scanning.

Assistive Technology:

While not available for personal use as an accommodation, the following assistive technology resources are available to students in most computer labs, including Howard-Tilton Library and the ERC, unless otherwise noted:

• JAWS
• Zoomtext
• OpenBook
• Large Print for Windows screen magnification software
• Dragonspeak software: available only in ODS
• Magnifier and monitor: available only in ODS