Alternative Media is the term applied to required course material such as textbooks, electronic documents, exams, and other printed materials which the student needs to be converted into an accessible format, such as a PDF for textbooks. Students with documented disabilities, such as a visual impairment, reading or other learning disability, attention deficit disorder, or physical disability which makes reading and understanding standard print difficult or impossible, may be eligible for an accommodation of alternate text format. Students who receive the accommodation of alternate text format are responsible for:

• Having current semester accommodation letters
• Completing the SDS Request for Alternate Media/Textbooks form for each text needed in an alternate format
• Meeting with their SDS disability specialist for instructions on how to use requested alternate format materials with the appropriate equipment or software

Securing alternative media is often time-consuming, taking as long as 5 weeks. Therefore, students who use alternative media are encouraged to get their accommodation letters and make alternate media requests at least 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. This may require communicating with professors before the start of classes.