Accessibility and eTextbooks
We are excited to inform you of a convenient new method of obtaining textbooks in alternate
format (alt-format) for those of you who buy your textbooks in the Roane State bookstore
operated by Barnes and Noble. Have you heard of eTextbooks? These are electronic editions
of textbooks, called eTextbooks or simply eBooks, which are accessible online using your Web
browser. The eBooks are identical to the printed textbooks that you typically purchase from
the bookstore but are generally offered at a lower cost. They can be read online through your
favorite browser from any computer with a web connection. You also have the option of
downloading sections of the eBook, listening to selections copied into a text-to-speech
synthesizer, or reading online with a screen reader. If you decide to purchase eBooks,
Disability Services will no longer need to request alternate formats for any textbooks
available in the eBook format.
Facts:
Advantages eBooks have over traditional textbooks:
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Many eBooks are priced approximately 50% less than the traditional textbook.
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All eBooks are a “green” resource and save trees!
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Many books have two styles to choose from: a Web accessible version and a
downloadable option.
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You can search, highlight, and make notes on your eBooks.
Purchasing:
When purchasing eBooks instead of a print copy, BE AWARE of the following:
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Once you redeem the access code, eBooks are not returnable.
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Printing is generally limited to a select number of pages.
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Most eBooks expire within 180 days or 6 months, which covers a semester.
Most current textbooks are available as eBooks from CourseSmart at
http://www.coursesmart.com/. We recommend that you check this site to determine if the
eBook used in your course by entering the ISBN, author last name, or title in the search field.
Accessibility Features:
To turn ON the accessibility features of CourseSmart books, you may call 866-588-3197 or
email accessibility@coursesmart.com. This will provide reader program access (indirectly) to
the eBook. The “CourseSmart Reader” user interface to online textbooks does NOT “read”
eBooks.
You must use an installed personal screen reader or text-to-speech (TTS) synthesizer such as
NVDA, Balabolka or Natural Reader to listen to eBooks by copying text from the eBook and
pasting it into your reader application. More information is available at
http://www.coursesmart.com/go/accesshelp/.