STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
ALTERNATE FORMAT BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS
Office of Disability Support Services (DSS)
University of Delaware
DSS Office, 119 Alison Hall
Telephone: (302) 831-4643
Fax: (302) 831-3261
E-mail: DSSoffice@udel.edu
Textbooks in alternate formats are available to students at the University of Delaware who have
met the Office of Disability Support Services’ book accommodation requirements based on
provided disability documentation (see General Guidelines for Documentation of a Disability). If
you are a student at the University registered with the DSS Office who does not receive textbook
accommodations and you feel you may be eligible for them please contact the DSS Office at
(302) 831-4643.
The following are guidelines for students receiving accommodations for books in alternate format
from the DSS Office.
1. Before submitting a book request:
o Consider the type of classes and the amount of reading required per course.
o Decide which texts you would benefit from having in an alternate format.
2. Consider which type of alternate format would benefit you. Possible alternate formats:
o Audio file or mp3 – a digital voice recording of each book chapter. These recordings
can be played on any mp3 player, computer, or burnt to an audio CD.
o RFB&D CD – entire recorded textbook on CD (if available), playable on any RFB&D
book player (players available for free rental at the DSS Office). Note: Any rented
RFB&D CDs and CD players are due back to the DSS Office at the end of each academic
semester.
o Kurzweil – Students will be sent Kurzweil files of each book chapter. Kurzweil is a
computer program available to students in the Morris Library Assistive Technologies
Center (ATC) and on personal computers hooked up the UD server. This program allows
students to see scanned book text while listening to the text being read, making notes,
highlighting and creating guides on the interactive computer program.
o Word – plain text files of book chapters with the pictures, charts and graphs edited out.
Word files are used by blind or visually impaired students with screen reading programs
such as JAWS.
o Texthelp – Text Help is a program similar to Kurzweil which allows you to see text on a
computer screen while listening to the text being read aloud. An added benefit to text
help is it reads directly from any PDF file and will be available to you on any computer
hooked up to the UD server. (This includes dorm rooms and computer labs.)
3. Fill out and submit one “Alternate Format Book Request Form” for EACH COURSE in
which books are being requested.
o The Alternate Format Book Request Form is attached to this packet and also available in
a PDF download format from the ADA website.
4. Attach a copy of the course syllabus to each “Alternate Format Book Request Form”
o The course syllabus serves as the official book request(s) for that course for the entire
semester. The DSS Office will keep up to date with the assigned readings listed in the
syllabus, sending required book chapters a week before they are due for the course.
Note: If a specific class begins to deviate from the syllabus it is the student’s
responsibility to inform the DSS Office of different required readings or changed due
dates for required readings.
5. Deliver all completed “Alternate Format Book Request Forms” and course syllabi to the
DSS office.
o There can be up to a 5 business day period between the day the DSS Office receives the
request and when the first set of readings is delivered. Keep this in mind, and be sure to
request books and other readings in a timely manner.
o “Alternate Format Book Request Forms” can be returned to:
o DSS Office, 119 Alison Hall, Newark DE. 19716
o E-mailed with syllabus to DSSoffice@udel.edu
o Faxed with syllabus to (302) 831-3261
Please Note: Failure to follow established procedures could result in suspension of the
accommodation and reinstatement will be at the determination of the DSS Director.
I acknowledge receipt of these guidelines and regulations and agree to abide by them.
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Signature
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Date