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Alternate format
Alternate format materials provide students with print disabilities access to academic materials. Eligibility for use of alternate format materials is determined on the student's documented need. Examples of alternate format materials are:
- digital audio
- electronic text (e-text)
- Braille
- large print texts
Access & Diversity's Crane Library produces and houses a collection of audio, e-text, Braille, and large print texts.
Determining alternate format accommodations
Accommodations are determined by the student's Diversity Advisor – Disability. In keeping with Access & Diversity's guidelines and in accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act, the advisor reviews the student's disability documentation to determine accommodations.
You are not authorized to add to or decrease the accommodations unless academic standards are compromised. In such cases, you should consult with the student's Diversity Advisor – Disability.
At the outset of the term, students are expected to provide you with a letter that identifies their alternate format accommodations. This letter also identifies their Diversity Advisor – Disability.
Policies and expectations
Our alternate format procedures are guided by copyright requirements to ensure that we do not compromise service. The Canadian Copyright Act requires that the student provide us with a hard copy of the materials and proof of payment. Students must make arrangements to purchase the materials from the UBC Bookstore, the instructor, or other source, as they become available.
The course syllabus is required so that Access & Diversity staff can produce materials in priority sequencing.
Producing alternate format materials
The production of alternate format materials is a complex process in which students, instructors, and Access & Diversity staff all play important roles.
A simple text of a few pages can be completed in a few days, while complex texts may take months to produce. Materials are completed in sections by the timelines stated in the course syllabus. For each course, students must communicate their requirements to you in advance. It is important that you provide your student with a syllabus of the course reading timelines and ensure that the texts are available for purchase in advance of the outset of the term.
If you have any questions, please email us at access.diversity@ubc.ca.
