Alternative Media is any instruction related material which is converted or altered from its original state into a different format so it is accessible and usable by people with disabilities. This may include, but is not limited to, Braille, ASCII text, large print, recorded audio, electronic text (e-text) formats, and video captioning.

• 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.
  

• 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.

• Closed captioning is a system developed to display text on a television or video screen. Captions and subtitles make videos accessible to a wider audience by allowing viewers who can not otherwise understand the audio track to follow along, especially those who are hearing-impaired. Closed captions typically display a transcription of the audio portion of a program as it occurs, sometimes including non-speech elements to help viewers follow the dialog, like descriptions of music, phones ringing, and other sounds in a video's audio track.

• 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 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.

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

1. In order to prepare for your next quarter course schedule, check the online course schedule at www.foothill.edu for classes, instructors and times for classes before your registration date and time.
2. Obtain the list of course textbooks from the online bookstore. Books that are "required" can be requested in an alternative media from the publishers.
3. Complete the Alternative Media Request form and submit to the Alternative Media Specialist who requests the textbook publishers for possible E-Text formats.
4. Purchase each required textbook or print materials and give receipt to the Alternative Media Specialist.
5. There is no guarantee the publishers will provide the E-Text nor estimated time of reception. An alternate solution is cutting the binding off your printed book and scanning the text. Your book can be rebound later. 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.
6. The E-Text files can then be used with our lab software programs for assisted reading and studying. Free E-Text reading programs are available for home or off-campus use.
7. If you drop the class you must notify AMS immediately to halt work on those books.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) 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.

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.