Alternative Format Accommodation

Alternative Format Accommodation refers to the conversion of printed course materials and textbooks into an alternative, accessible format. This accommodation ensures students with certain disability diagnoses like visual impairment, information-processing, or strength/dexterity disabilities have access to their textbooks and all printed course-related materials.

This SAS-approved accommodation requires that students:

1. Student registers for classes.
2. Students submit to SAS the Semester Request Form each term, available online.
3. Student reviews book list for each class on the WNE Bookstore website or Kodiak (or similar) Portal.
4. The student should purchase books in the desired format and in the event, the textbooks or supplemental books are not available for purchase in an alternative format students may contact SAS (we encourage up to six weeks advanced communication).
5. Students may submit a request for alternative format textbooks and materials by emailing accessibility@wne.edu. 
6. Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and may take up to six weeks to appropriately manage.
7. Students are required to provide proof of possession/purchase before SAS can provide alternative formats for textbooks.
8. Students will be notified by email when materials are ready.

It is the student’s responsibility to:

1. Monitor their WNE email for status updates or questions from SAS.
2. Submit book requests for alternative media in a timely manner.
3. Provide proof of possession/purchase of the textbook(s).

It is the faculty’s responsibility to:

1. Monitor their WNE email for status updates or questions from SAS
2. Notify SAS of any changes to the class schedule related to materials being converted, not just textbook materials.
3. Submit a course syllabus including reading assignment dates, if requested.
4. Submit all classroom handouts to be modified two weeks before needed.

Students or faculty that need assistance with this accommodation can request a meeting through accessibility@wne.edu. 

We can help them review the course, and the book list, or support the use of reading or text-to-speech software.