Steve Sum, Alternative Media Specialist (AMS)

Examples Of Alternative Media

Electronic Text

• Electronic Text (E-text) has emerged as a convenient and popular method of providing access for those individuals who cannot use standard printed materials. Partially sighted individuals can use E-text by taking advantage of built-in options within many standard software applications (to adjust font size) or through the use of specialized screen magnification software. E-text can also be used with screen reading software to output the text to a speech synthesizer or refreshable Braille display. The main advantage of E-text is that it can be easily stored, can be searched and indexed, and can be converted to large print or hard copy Braille through use of a translation program.

Audio Books

• Providing materials in a recorded audio format is one method of making information accessible to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Many individuals with learning disabilities also use materials in audio format because users difficulty processing printed information. Audio material is commonly recorded on CD-ROM, MP3 player, cassette tape, or other storage media. It is also possible to produce material in audio format by having E-text read with a speech synthesizer.

Video Closed-captioning

• To best serve our deaf and hard of hearing students and comply with federal and state laws  please adopt and use only closed-captioned videos in your classes. Captions allow deaf students to read the dialog and descriptive narration on the screen. Foothill Library now has a policy of not ordering non-captioned videos. Our mutual goal is to remain compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that requires providing equal access to educational participation, materials, and technology for all students.   If you absolutely must use non-captioned videotapes in your classes contact the AMS for help.

Large Print

• This alternate media is often provided for students with limited sight. Producing large print copies of material is simple if the document is not too lengthy and is available in electronic text, although some reformatting may be necessary.
• One alternative to hardcopy large print is the use of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, which permits the magnification of the paper being viewed.

Braille

• Braille is a system of reading and writing for blind individuals. The basic unit is the Braille cell. We are able to produce Braille information using desktop software, refreshable Braille display, and  Braille embossing printer.

Tactile Graphics

• We can produce diagrams printed on heat-sensitive paper with raised lines and images used by the blind.

Basic College Responsibility for Providing Alternative Media

• All instructional resources or materials purchased or leased from a third-party provider or created or substantially modified "in-house" must be accessible to students with disabilities, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the instructional activity or result in undue financial and administrative burdens on the district. The Purchasing Services Department (X6193, http://purchasing.fhda.edu) will review all instructional equipment purchase requisitions and contract requests to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding the purchasing and leasing of instructional materials.
• The instructional resources or materials used in each course will be reviewed and revised as necessary when the course undergoes curriculum review pursuant to Title V every six years as part of the accreditation process. In the event that a student with a disability enrolls in a course before this review is completed, the college will be responsible for acting in a timely manner to make instructional materials or resources used in the course accessible, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the instructional activity or result in undue financial and administrative burdens on the district.
• Faculty members are encouraged to make textbook selections as far in advance as possible and to avoid changing the selection unless there are compelling reasons. The bookstore should remind faculty members about the need to place orders as early as possible and should process the orders promptly once they are received. In order to provide adequate time for the production of information in alternative media faculty members are asked to make book selections by the middle of the fall and spring quarters for the subsequent quarter/session.
• Faculty are also asked to provide syllabi, handouts and other materials as far in advance as possible and to utilize electronic text (e-text) when available. To allow adequate time for the production of this information in alternative media, faculty members are encouraged to make available course syllabi, handouts and other course materials by the middle of the fall and spring quarters for the subsequent quarter/session. Course materials received after that time will be produced in alternative media as quickly as possible but may not be available for the beginning of the quarter.

Students must provide required disability documentation to the Disability Resource Center (DRC) that clearly supports eligibility for alternative print formats. The DRC counselor/coordinator evaluates the documentation and meets with students on an individual basis to recommend reasonable and appropriate accommodations. The DRC counselor/coordinator authorizes and refers students to the Alternative Media Specialist, who:

1. Facilitates the ordering and acquisition of recorded textbooks from the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
2. Provide recorded portions of textbooks and class handouts for students.
3. Produce certain class materials in alternative print formats (e.g. Braille and large print). Eligible students can receive audio recordings through RFB&D, limited Braille services from DRC, and access to such adaptive software and scanner as the Kurzweil 1000 or 3000 at the Computer Access Center, accessible computer workstations, and the library. Students requiring enlarged text may use text magnification program software, computers, closed-circuited television (CCTV) located in labs on campus, or students may request enlarged text. Following a review of the text to be converted and the nature of academic assignments, all printed materials are produced in a format approved by the DRC counselor/coordinator. Students are responsible for returning their own RFB&D audio-recorded texts. DRC is available to assist with problems and for support when tapes do not arrive as scheduled.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Students receiving services through DRC must be enrolled at FOOTHILL COLLEGE and must have a chronic disabling condition that has been verified by an appropriate professional. The students disabling condition must limit one or more major life activities, and impose an "educational limitation." An educational limitation is a disability related functional limitation in the educational setting that occurs when the limitation prevents a student from fully benefiting from classes, activities, or services offered by the college without specific, additional support services. Examples of education limits are: low vision, poor/no hearing, visual processing, and cognitive skills.
2. Students must demonstrate the potential to benefit from the special services.
3. Students requesting services and/or academic accommodations offered at FOOTHILL COLLEGE are recommended to arrange an appointment with a DRC counselor/coordinator and complete an application for services. DRC will then establish a Student Educational Contract (SEC) and verify the disability by using one of the following means:
   1. review of documentation provided by appropriate agencies or certified or licensed professionals outside of DRC;
   2. assessment by appropriate DRC professional staff;
   3. observation by DRC professional staff with review by DRC counselor/coordinator.
      Once a student's disability has been verified, the DRC professional will identify the educational limitations, document them in the Student Educational Contract and review and update it annually.
   4. According to the Guidelines for Producing Instructional and Other Printed Materials in Alternate Media for Persons with Disabilities (April 2000):
      "It should be noted that students have the right to decline to participate in the DRC program (Title 5, §56008(a)). In the rare case where this happens, the college will still have an obligation under federal and state nondiscrimination laws to provide materials in alternative media, but cannot use DRC funds. In such cases, the college ADA coordinator should handle the request or other person designated to deal with ADA accommodation requests. Under such circum- stances, the college would not be bound by the DRC regulations and may choose to dispense with the necessity for verification of disability."(Page10).

Procedures for the Student to Receive Textbooks or Print Materials in Alternate Format or Recorded Text

1. Eligible students pre-register for all courses in which alternative print materials are needed. In order to prepare for the next quarter course schedule, check the online course schedule at www.Foothill.edu for classes, instructors and times for classes before the registration date and time.
2. Obtain the list of course textbooks by instructor from the online bookstore. The bookstore has listed "required" and "optional" with each book for the course. Books that are "optional" will not be requested in an alternate media from the publishers.
   Note:
   Within one week following pre-registration obtain the Alternative Media Request form for specific classes from the DRC counselor/coordinator.
3. Notify funding agencies (e.g. Department of Rehabilitation, Veterans Services) of the need for alternative media formats.
4. The Alternative Media Request form is completed and submitted to the DRC counselor. The form must include the titles of "required" books for each specific course, the DRC counselor/coordinator's signature, and student's signature. Inform DRC if assistance in filling out this form is needed. The completed form will be submitted to the Alternative Media Specialist who requests to textbook publishers for possible E-Text formats.
5. When notified that the book requests have been completed, purchase one copy of each required textbook or print materials.
6. There is no guarantee the publishers will provide E-Text. Another solution is cutting the binding off your printed book and scanning the text. Book can be rebound. Depending on workload, the AMS may do all of the scanning, part of the scanning, or may show student how to do their own scanning.
7. Free E-Text reading programs are available for home or off-campus use.
8. If you drop the class you must notify AMS immediately to halt work on those books.
9. The Adaptive Learning Division (ALD) takes precautions to regularly update its virus protection software and to test its assistive technology. The ALD, DRC, or AMS is not liable for any damage or data loss on students' computers resulting from the use of E-text. Frequent back up of your system is recommended.

To Receive Textbooks in Braille, Large Print, or E-text

1. After requesting the textbooks in E-Text format from the AMS, you will be notified by e-mail and/or phone message with the pick-up time and date.
2. When textbooks cannot be obtained in an E-Text format, then the purchased textbook, handouts, or print materials should be brought to the AMS for translating into the preferred alternate format with the syllabus that gives the assignment schedule.

To Receive Textbooks in Recorded Format/Reader Services

1. Check online to determine whether the text is in the national archive of recorded texts at Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) at www.rfbd.org/catalog.
2. If the student has an RFB&D membership and the recorded text is available from the national RFB&D archive, order the audio recordings directly from RFB&D.
3. If the student does not have a personal RFB&D membership:
   1. submit completed and signed by the DRC counselor/coordinator an application for Reader Services form and a course syllabus for each class to the DRC Reader Services located in room 5801.
   2. Work with the DRC counselor/coordinator to complete the application process for RFB&D Institutional Membership.
4. In cases where immediate information including handouts or other supplemental educational aids are needed to be read, or there is a delay in book requests, reader or scanning services may be used.
   
   Note: Readings are commensurate with the class reading list or syllabus until the RFB&D recordings arrive or if the RFB&D does not have the text available.
5. At the end of the quarter, return all DRC CDs or tapes used to record textbooks.  Or give DRC an equal number of blank tapes, and return all RFB&D recorded texts to RFB&D.

To Receive Course Materials, Homework Assignments and Tests on Disk from Your Instructor

1. Make an appointment with your instructors before the class begins and submit to them the Accommodations Form. This form will be given to you by the DRC counselor/coordinator at the time you receive the Alternate Media Request form.
2. The Accommodations form will inform the instructors:
   1. You are eligible for the service.
   2. You are requesting that all course materials including a syllabus, handouts, tests, or reading lists (e.g. sequence of textbooks, chapters, or pages) be given to you or the AMS on disk in either a .doc file format or in a .txt file format.
   3. Informs the instructor that incidental materials must be made available to the DRC three days before the date and time they will be used in class and one week before final exams.
      Note: Students wanting to keep the class material in alternative format must provide the DRC with audiotapes or computer disks for incidental materials.

Procedures For Complaint Resolution Regarding Alternative Media

Complaints regarding the provision of information in alternate media should be referred to the Alternative Media Specialist. Every effort will be made to resolve the matter on an informal basis. The next level would involve the Dean of the Adaptive Learning Division.  If the matter cannot be resolved in this manner, the complainant will be referred to the Dean of Faculty and Staff.

Federal and State Regulations:

California Code of Regulations, Section 55002; Section 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Assembly Bill 422.

For additional information contact
Steve Sum
Alternative Media Specialist (AMS) (650) 949-7673,
sumsteven@foothill.edu , Room 5710.

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