Audio & eText

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• UMD Home

• Books in Alternative Formats
• Ordering Your e-Books
• AudioBooks/E-Test Policies
• Electronic Book Request

Books in Alternative Formats

Students with visual or learning disabilities may benefit from textbooks and other class materials in an alternative format. Alternative formats include audio books, braille, and electronic (e-text) files. Audio books are available in a variety of media types. Some audio files can be directly down loaded to your computer and listened to without special software. Other books and materials come on CDs and require special playback units or screen-reading software.

Ordering your e-Books

1. Request alternative format materials as soon as possible after you are registered for classes.
It can take up to four weeks (and sometimes longer) to get a book in an alternate format. Early registration allows students extra time to order and get their alternative format books before the semester begins.

2. Check the UMD Stores lists for required textbooks.
If the books for your classes are not listed yet, contact your instructors and ask about textbooks, handouts, and other required reading materials.

3. Purchase the textbooks.
Book publishers and copyright laws require that textbook be purchased before the textbook can be ordered in or converted to an alternative format. You may be asked to submit proof of purchase or receipts for the books

4. Search the Learning Ally (previously RFB&D) online catalog for your books. If your textbooks are available from Learning Ally, give the title and shelf number to your DR specialist using a Learning Ally request form.

5. If your books are not available from Learning Ally, Submit a separate Electronic Book Request for each class. You may request up to three fooks for one class on the same form.

AudioBook/E-Text Policies

1. All CDs produced by Disability Resources from publisher's files must be checked out and returned through the UMD Library. You will be notified via email when your materials are ready to be picked up.
2. Return all alternative format hard media (CDs) to the library by the last day of finals. This is required by the publishers. Failure to comply will result in a hold on your records.
3. All electronic files downloaded to your computers must be deleted at the end of the semester.
4. Materials may not be reproduced or shared. See the UMD Student Code of Conduct for more information.
5. Notify your Disability Resources specialist immediately of changes to in book needs.
6. For Braille users: meet with your Disability Resources specialist prior to the start of each semester to discuss b ooks and other materials. Some brailled materials must be requested two semesters in advance.

Electronic Book Request

Complete a separate form for each class. All information is required for each book.
Incomplete information on the request form will result in delay of delivery of files.
If more than 3 books are required for the class please indicate so in the 'comment' section and submit another form with all necessary information.

Completion of this form does not guarantee that you will receive electronic/recorded materials.