Accessible Textbooks/Books and Long-Readings

While some students may require all their materials to be accessible, there are other students who may only require accessible formats for textbooks/books and long-readings. There are a wide range of options available for students who require this accommodation. Since many publishers are creating accessible content from the start, students often can purchase their materials directly.

When accessible textbooks are not available for purchase, SAS can help find or create the necessary materials. This can include:

  • Finding the book through a service like Bookshare or AccessText.
  • Working with publishers to acquire the requested texts.
  • Scanning and creating the required text materials.

Key Things to Know

  • Many publishers offer accessible materials for purchase. If accessible materials are available for purchase, students should acquire those materials directly from the publisher.
  • Before sharing a digital copy of the book, students are required to show proof of purchase and sign the SAS Alt-Format Agreement Form.
  • Early identification of required materials and alternate format requests are important in order to ensure timely receipt of materials.
  • If students approved for this accommodation require other course materials to be accessible, they may contact the SAS AT Specialist for additional assistance. 

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities. 
  • Sharing their course schedule and any schedule changes with SAS as soon as possible
  • Searching for accessible copies of textbooks to purchase
  • When assistance is needed in finding an accessible book,
    • Signing the SAS Alt-Format Agreement
    • Notifying SAS through the Alt-Format Request Form
    • Providing proof of purchase of the material
  • Sharing any concerns with SAS as soon as possible

Common Questions

Unfortunately, not all publishers have accessible content available for purchase. Before adopting a book within a course, SAS recommends the instructor explore whether the publisher has accessible copies available. Considering accessibility from the start can help avoid delays in processing or acquiring alternative materials. If a material is inaccessible, SAS can work to find or create an accessible copy of the material.