Request alternate format textbooks

Students should discuss their need and eligibility for recorded textbooks with their Disability Support Services (DSS) Counselor.

Students requesting textbooks in an alternate format must submit a completed student book request form to the DSS office on their campus as soon as possible after registering for classes. The bookstore posts the books required for each class on its website before the semester starts. Students should provide us with the title, author, edition, publisher date, ISBN#, and cost of the book.

Students should be prepared to provide a copy of a receipt showing proof of purchase of the book. Also, once you have your course syllabus, please provide us with a copy.

DSS Office will attempt to obtain the book from one of the following sources:

Learning ally

Learning Ally is a resource library of books in audio digital format. Books are available in digital formats to be used with iOS devices as well as your personal computer with software provided by Learning Ally. DSS will work with the student to determine the best possible format for your audio books.

  • Learning Ally provides computer software to playback daisy formatted books.
  • MD State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). will provide to the student on loan a National Library of Service (NLS) reader (DAISY format) to use for their textbooks and other personal reading materials. An individual application must be completed. Please request an application from DSS.
  • DSS has limited equipment to loan for the semester which must be returned in a timely manner. If this equipment policy is not adhered to the student may have a hold placed on their account and/or may have difficulty in obtaining alternate format texts in the future.

Bookshare and alternate format

Texts can be ordered, when available from BookShare by the DSS staff or the student can obtain an individual membership. Playback method will need to be known, as in daisy format, PDF or Word documents and iOS.
  • DSS has a very limited amount of Victor Stream players to loan to students for DAISY format texts (see above under Learning Ally).
  • MD State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) will provide to the student on loan a National Library of Service (NLS) reader (DAISY format) to use for their textbooks and other personal reading materials. An individual application must be completed. Please request an application from DSS.
  • PDF and Word documents can be played using JAWS software.
  • PDF and Word documents can be listened to using the ADOBE Read Aloud feature.
  • NVDA is a free downloadable software that can be used by students.
  • iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod touch) can read using Read2Go app available from Apple App Store for a nominal fee. Additional apps may be available for Android phones.

Other resources and alternate format

Texts can be ordered, when available from other resources by the DSS staff. Playback method will need to be known, as in daisy format, PDF or Word documents and IOS. Students should discuss this option with their counselor and/or a DSS staff member, as the student does need special software to access these books.
  • Textbooks in alternate format may be available through Access Text Network, a resource that publishers use to make texts available. Requests for these books need to be made by the disability support office.
  • Textbooks in alternate format may be available from the publisher. Requests for these books need to be made by the disability support office through a publisher’s website.