Villanova Student Guide to Requesting
Alternate Format Materials
Certain students with documented disabilities are eligible to receive textbooks and other
materials in an alternate format. Eligibility for this accommodation is determined on a case-bycase basis. The production of and assistance in locating alternate format materials requires
cooperation between the University, students, and faculty.
First steps
Prior to seeking out assistance in obtaining alternate format texts, please make sure that you
are registered with Learning Support Services or The Office of Disability Services, and that you
have been deemed eligible for this accommodation. If you are unsure, please get in touch with
Learning Support Services.
Student responsibilities
Students are responsible for downloading material that is already available electronically on the
Internet, Bookshare, or other online libraries or databases.1 Learning Support Services (LSS) will
not scan or request materials that are already available. Each eligible student who requests
alternate format texts will be signed up for a Bookshare account, which they can then operate
independently.
Materials scanned and converted into alternate formats are intended solely for the student
who has requested them. Further reproduction, distribution, or sale of materials is unethical
and will be considered an infringement of Villanova’s academic integrity policies. Students are
responsible for destroying the alternate format material when they no longer own the book.
Training in using Bookshare, Read & Write Gold, and other software needed to access
alternative format materials will be provided to students upon request. Please note: students
1
This section of the text relies heavily on language and information taken from Temple University’s Alternate
Format Materials Policy.
must contact LSS in order to make an appointment for training. Emergency or last minute
training requests may not be honored.
Requesting alternate format materials
Students can request textbooks by filling out and submitting an Alternate Format Request form
to LSS. These forms can be found in our office, on the LSS website under forms, and in the
Appendix at the end of this guide.
Please note:

Alternate Format Requests can take up to 4 weeks (or sometimes longer). Requests are
processed in the order in which they are received.

LSS may request a receipt of purchase for textbooks being requested.

Students who need to have their textbooks scanned must plan to drop off their books
with LSS, who will then send them to be processed. We may also require a copy of the
appropriate course syllabus for books that need to be scanned and converted.
How do I find out what books I need for my classes?
If classes are in session, you can go to the Villanova Bookstore to locate your books, however,
we recommend that you do not wait that until the semester has started to request your books.
The first step is to look to see if they are posted online.
1. Go to the Villanova Bookstore homepage.
2. In the upper left portion of the screen, you will see a tab for books.
Image of bookstore homepage
3. You will be prompted to enter your Term and Class. Be sure you know the course
number and section.
Image of textbook search screen
Image of course materials screen
4. You will likely be shown more than one option for purchasing your textbook. The
Villanova Bookstore offers students different choices, including new, used, and digital
textbooks. If you require a textbook in an electronic format, and you are able to
purchase it in this format from the bookstore and it meets your needs, please do so.
Before purchasing a digital textbook, however, you will want to be sure the format
meets your needs. Many digital texts sold by the Villanova Bookstore (as of June 2016)
use BryteWave Reader. This format is not currently accessible to adaptive technology
such as screen readers.
5. If the Bookstore does not have the format you are looking for, you may purchase a
paper copy and submit an Alternate Format Request form to LSS. Prior to submitting
this form, please access your Bookshare account to see if the text is available. If you find
an alternate format text on your own, please do not request that text from LSS.
My books are not listed online. What should I do?
If your books are not listed online, you should then contact your professor and/or the Villanova
Bookstore. Templates for both of these communications can be found in the appendix at the
end of this guide.
It is very important that you include all of the relevant information when requesting
information. For example, without listing both your course number AND section, the bookstore
will likely be unable to assist you in locating your textbook information.
If you reach out to your professors and/or the Villanova Bookstore and do not receive a
response in 10 business days (not counting University holidays), please inform LSS so that we
can follow up. We suggest using the following templates:
For professors:
Dear Professor(s):
I am enrolled in your
course next semester. I am registered with Learning
Support Services and as part of my approved accommodations, I require access to books in an
alternate format. Because locating alternate format materials is often a time-consuming
process, it would be helpful if you provided me with information (form attached) about the
required textbooks for next semester.
If you have any questions, please email me or learning.support.services@villanova.edu. Thank
you in advance for ensuring that I will have appropriate access to course materials.
For Villanova Bookstore:
Dear Villanova Bookstore:
I am registered with Learning Support Services and require access to textbooks in alternate
formats. Because locating alternate format materials is often a time-consuming process, it
would be helpful if you provided me with the following information about the required
textbooks for next semester.
If you have any questions, please email learning.support.services@villanova.edu . Thank you in
advance for ensuring I will have appropriate access to course materials.
Now what?
Once you have your textbook list, and know which books you are going to be able to access
through Bookshare and/or other sources, you should submit your Alternate Format Request
form to learning.support.services@villanova.edu . Alternatively, you can drop the form off at
the LSS office on the 2nd floor of the Falvey Memorial Library in the Learning Commons.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, contact us! We want to ensure that
you have your alternate format materials as close to the start of the semester as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I do not qualify for this accommodation, but I would really like to start using eBooks. Can you
help me?
Yes! We can definitely point you toward some resources. Make an appointment with one of the
LSS staff. Although we can point you toward resources and help you install Read & Write Gold,
our literacy support software, we cannot give you special access (via Bookshare, Access Text,
Publisher files, etc.) to alternate formats. That access is reserved, by law, for students with
documented disabilities. Many of these services are available for a cost. See individual
organizations for details.
What alternate formats are available?
There are four types of alternate format materials: Braille, Large Print, Audio, Digital Text (or
eBooks). Most students registered through LSS qualify for audio or digital texts. Many students
prefer audiobooks, but they are difficult to find. Digital texts (eBooks) can be read aloud using
our screen reading software. Students requesting large print or Braille materials should contact
the Office of Disability Services: gregory.hannah@villanova.edu .
4 types of alternate formats (http://aim.cast.org )
Appendix
1. Alternate Format Request Form
2. Professor book request form
3. Villanova Bookstore Form
Please note: these forms are available on the LSS website and in the LSS office.
Alternate Format Request Form
Student Name:
Banner ID:
Materials in Alternate Format Requested for the
summer) and the year (2013, 2014, etc.)
term. Please list semester (fall, spring, or
Please list the books you are requesting below. Please provide all requested book details; incomplete
information will increase the processing time.
Course Number
and Section
Example: ACS
1000-001
Professor(s)
Jane Doe
Book Title
Confessions
Author(s)
Saint
Augustine
Please use multiple forms if you need to request additional books.
ISBN number
0199537828
Publisher/
Edition (if
available)
Oxford
World's
Classics, 1st
edition
Professor book request form
Dear Professor(s):
I am enrolled in your
course next semester. I am registered with Learning Support
Services and as part of my approved accommodations, I require access to books in an alternate format.
Because locating alternative format materials is often a time-consuming process, it would be helpful if
you provided me with the following information about the required textbooks for next semester.
If you have any questions, please email me or learning.support.services@villanova.edu. Thank you in
advance for ensuring that I will have appropriate access to course materials.
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Villanova Bookstore Form
Dear VU Bookstore:
Some students registered with Learning Support Services require access to textbooks in alternate
formats. Because locating alternative format materials is often a time-consuming process, it would be
helpful if you provided us with the following information about the required textbooks for next
semester.
If you have any questions, please email learning.support.services@villanova.edu. Thank you in advance
for ensuring that these students will have appropriate access to course materials.
COURSE:
Professor:
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
-