Textbooks which receive priority consideration for conversion into braille are books which are of a technical nature (such as advanced math or music) or which will be used extensively at the desk in class (such as foreign language texts). The University will request the assistance of the Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (IMCVI), located in Springfield, to prepare these books. If the IMCVI determines that brailing a requested text is an appropriate request, the process of brailing may take several months. Therefore, requests for brail led texts must be made well in advance of the date needed.

The University assumes the responsibility of providing reasonable accommodation as required by federal statutes. When such accommodation concerns the production of alternate format, the University reserves the right to explore the most reasonable method of provision. The IMCVI will be contacted first Any materials to be provided by other than the IMCVI must be procured using University Purchasing Policies and Procedures. The University will not assume responsibility for payment of any materials contracted for by third parties.

Requests for large print texts will be considered only when the text will be needed for extensive use within the classroom, such as in certain science courses or in a foreign language class. Exceptionality may be granted when documentation is presented which states that large print is the only means by which a student may obtain access to printed materials. Production of large print is a timely process; therefore, requests must be made well in advance of the date needed.

Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that tape recorded books be utilized. (Please refer to the "Tape Recorded Textbooks and Other Classroom Materials" section of this Handbook for further information on this process.)

The Office of Disability Services may assist in transcribing appropriate portions of books into braille or large print. Material which will be given consideration includes, but is not limited to, foreign language vocabulary lists, or math homework exercises for a math class. Inasmuch as this is a lengthy process, requests for such material must be made as far in advance of date of need as possible.

Textbooks converted to braille or large print for the University by IMCVI are the property of IMCVI and not of the student nor of the University. These books must be returned at the end of the semester to Disability Services, and this office will arrange to return texts to the IMCVI. Students may be held responsible for lost or damaged textbooks.

Textbooks converted to braille or large print by the University will be regarded by the University and the Office of Disability Services as rental textbooks and, therefore, the property of the University. All regulations pertaining to rental textbooks shall be applied to textbooks in alternate format. Students will be responsible for lost or damaged textbooks per University policy regarding rental books.

Braille (class handouts, overheads, board work, syllabi, tests, quizzes, and exams)

The Office of Disability Services will provide conversion into braille. In many instances instructors are able to provide advance copies of syllabi and handouts several weeks in advance of the start of a semester. It is highly recommended that students contact each instructor as soon as possible after they have registered for the next semester's classes to discuss their accommodation needs and to request advance copies of syllabi and class handouts. (The Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Services will assist new students to make this contact the first time.) Students should bring these materials to the Office of Disability Services for conversion to alternate format so that they will be prepared by the beginning of the semester they will be needed. As other materials are received throughout the semester, students should bring them to ODS for conversion into braille.

Large Print (class handouts, overheads, board work, syllabi, tests, quizzes, and exams)

Students who require large print copies of class materials should notify the Office of Disability Services of this need. This office will assist students to notify instructors in advance of the beginning of the semester in order to provide that the instructor has time to prepare this material. In most instances this material can be provided by the academic department. However, if the instructor or department secretary needs assistance to prepare the material, s/he should contact the Office Systems Specialist (581-6583) at the Office of Disability Services for technical advice. If the department does not have the capacity to enlarge such material, the Office of Disability Services will do so.

The following represents a suggested timeline for the preparation of braille and large print: Textbooks, other lengthy material - six weeks to several months

Syllabi, handouts, tests, exams, overheads - seven working days

(for material that must be hand typed into the computer)

Syllabi, handouts, tests, exams, overheads - three working days

(for material already on an IBM formatted diskette in Word)

It will be the responsibility of the student to provide adequate notification of need for braille or large print to the Office of Disability Services and/or instructors. Failure to request such services in a timely manner may result in late preparation and delivery of requested materials to the student.