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California State University, Long Beach
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Alternative Instructional Material Policy


 
Definitions

Instructional Material

Instructional material is defined in this policy as “textbooks and other resource materials written and published primarily for use by students in postsecondary instruction that are required or essential to a student’s success in a course of study in which a student with a disability is enrolled” (AB422).

Alternative Instructional Materials

Alternative instructional material formats are defined in this policy as those print materials that are reformated in a specialized format (e-text, large print, audio, or Braille) that is exclusively for use by people with disabilities (e.g., blind, low vision, mobility, dexterity, and / or cognitive limitations) (AB422).

Printed Instructional Materials

Printed instructional materials are instructional materials in book or other printed formats (e.g., PDF, Power Point slides, syllabus, hand-outs) that are required or essential to a student's success in a course of study in which a student with a disability is enrolled (AB422).

Non-printed Instructional Materials

Non-printed instructional materials are those materials in formats other than print, such as software programs, video disks, video tapes, and audio tapes (AB422) and would also include video DVD's and audio recordings.

Copyright

An electronic file (E-text) is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed in a format other than a specialized format exclusively reproduced for use by students with a documented disability that prohibits the person's use of instructional materials in standard print formats. Any reproduction or distribution in a format other than a specialized format is an infringement of the copyright law. Misuse of the specialized format will result in disciplinary action by the University Judicial Officer.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for alternative instructional material is based on the professional documentation provided by the student that verifies the student has a print disability limitation which inhibits the functional use of standard instructional materials in a print format.

Regulations for Processing an Alternative Instructional Material Request

  1. Alternative instructional material is provided for CSU Long Beach curriculum support only. Alternative instructional material will not be provided for personal use.
  2. Requests for alternative instructional materials will be considered on a case-by-case basis, where eligibility is determined by one or more of the following Disabled Student Services professionals:
    • the Disabled Students Services’ High Tech Center’s Alternative Media Specialist
    • the Disabled Students Services’ High Tech Center’s Coordinator
    • the Disabled Students Services’ Reader Service Coordinator
    • the Disabled Students Services’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Coordinator
    • the Disabled Students Services’ Stephen Benson Learning Disability Coordinator
    • the Disabled Students Services’ Director
  3. Students who request alternative instructional materials must be enrolled in the course(s) for which it will be used.
  4. Students must submit requests for alternative instructional materials for each semester the materials are needed.
  5. Students are encouraged to contact their instructor during priority registration to obtain a list of textbook titles that the student will be required to use for the course and a course syllabus that will indicate the sequential reading assignments..
  6. Students requesting materials in alternative formats must own a physical copy of the textbook(s) or other course material(s).
  7. Material(s) provided to the HTC for the purpose of conversion to an alternative format will be disassembled and returned to the student in its altered condition. The HTC will not be held responsible for any damage to the materials that occur as a result of conversion to alternative format.
  8. Students will be provided with one alternative format copy for each material required for academic use.
  9. Request forms for alternative instructional material(s) can also be obtained at the High Tech Center in L A 5-173. Students can obtain a referral request from the Disabled Student Services office in BH-270.

Questions regarding alternative instructional material format should be addressed directly to Sonia Acosta, High Tech Center Alternative Media Specialist at (562) 985-5605, or Velma Martin, H T C Coordinator, at (562) 985-8712, in L A 5-173.