Guide to Obtaining Textbooks in Alternative Formats

The guide is for anyone who needs to source textbooks in an alternative format for a reading impaired learner. This is potentially a complicated area. Disability law protects disabled learners by requiring the educational institution to make appropriate provision. Copyright law protects publishers from inappropriate copying of textbooks. Between these two sets of rights are the staff who have to provide alternative formats in a timely manner to disabled learners. In most cases the optimum accessibility solution is to obtain the textbook in electronic format. This allows immediate personalisation of text size, colours and contrast. In addition, electronic text is usually an important intermediate stage for the production of non-text formats such as audio or braille.

This guidance is specifically designed for library staff, learner support staff and subject tutors and lecturers supporting disabled learners. It should help anyone trying to get digital versions of textbooks to:

• Understand the processes involved.
• Recognise additional in-house work that may be required once the digital version has been obtained.
• Maximise the likelihood of a successful outcome.
• Evaluate your own institutional processes.
• Assess alternative interventions.

The publication is available online or you can obtain a hard copy version of this guide visit our Online Order Form.

Introduction

For too long the concept of alternative formats has been linked solely to visual impairment. But people with a range of disabilities benefit from alternative formats. Dyslexic learners can significantly benefit from text to speech – something that can easily be provided from a digital copy of text. Similarly, people with mental health issues may cope with listening to text read aloud better than they might cope with sitting reading a book. Learners with motor impairment can use assistive technology to read onscreen in a way that might be impossible with a physical copy of a book. In many cases learners with disabilities are struggling with traditional texts when alternatives are available.

• The Publishing Process
• Adapting the book for the learner
• Good practice in getting alternative formatsEvaluating outcomes and conclusions

Working with the Open Rose Group

• Guide to Obtaining Textbooks in Alternative Formats
• Good Practice Guidance for Library and Information Professionals: Moving Towards Accessible e-Book Platforms