Alternative Media Services
Alternative Media is the process by which printed material is converted into an accessible form for a student with a disability. Examples of accessible formats are; large print, Braille, digital format, and audiotape. The process of alternative media involves the use of computers, scanners, tape recorders, tape duplicators, and printers. If you would like to make a request for alternative media click here.
Alternate formats are provided for persons who have either visual impairments or learning disorders which can include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, acquired brain injury or psychological disorders.
Types of Alternative Text
- E-Text
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E-text makes printed material in an electronic or digital format. The typical file is produced in to a .txt or .rtf format. The file is then used with some types of screen reader such as ReadPlease or Text Aloud.
- DAISY Books
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Digital Accessible Information System, or DAISY, is a format based on the W3C defined SGML applications XHTML 1.0 and SMIL 1.0. Using this framework, a talking book format is presented that enables navigation within a sequential and hierarchical structure consisting of (marked-up) text synchronized with audio. DAISY assists people who, for different reasons, have problems using regular printed media. DAISY books have the benefits of regular audio books, but they are superior when it comes to navigating the content and displaying synchronized text. For example, DAISY books can enable users who are blind to navigate an encyclopedia. An encyclopedia as a regular audio book would be useless because it lacks search and navigation features and requires a linear listen.
- Audio Book
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An audiobook is a recording of the contents of a book read aloud. Audiobooks are usually distributed on CDs, cassette tapes, or digital formats (e.g., MP3 and Windows Media Audio). The term "audio book" is synonymous with "books on tape." Alternative Media has a library of cassette tapes, but no longer produces cassettes. All audiobooks are produced as MP3 files.
- Braille
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The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write. Each Braille character or cell is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two columns of three dots each. This office uses Duxbury and MegaDots in software to produce Braille documents.
- Distributing Material
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When materials are ready for student use, there are two distribution methods:
- Burn CDs or print large print or Braille files for student pick up
- Post materials on to WebCT