Alternate Media - Textbook conversion

Requests for textbooks and/or course documents in an alternate format will be considered on a case by case basis. The ACCESS Alternate Media Specialist will consider and attempt to provide the format specified by the student. However, if the original requested format is unavailable, alternatives will be discussed with the student. 

To make a textbook request, use the Alternate Media request form.

Once an alternate media request and proof of purchase is received, the Alternate Media Specialist will work with publishers and other sources to obtain electronic files. This is typically referred to as the research process and varies from one to five days depending on publishers response time.

Once electronic files are received, the files are assessed and produced in an appropriate format for the student. This is typically referred to as the production process and varies from three to ten days.

Be sure to provide the course syllabus as it supports the production process in ensuring chapters are completed in the order outlined for the course and ensures timeliness.

The timeliness of alternate media requests is of the utmost importance! All efforts will be made to ensure alternate media requests are provided in a timely manner, most times within 10 business days. However, some requests may exceed 10 business days depending on publisher response time and the conversion / formatting needs of the request. In these cases, the alternate media specialist will prioritize alternate media production based on the reading order listed in the syllabus to ensure students do not experience a disruption their course reading schedule.

Alternate Media is individualized for the ACCESS student it is provided to and is for their educational use only. Do not copy, reproduce or distribute the Alternative Media to anyone else. Distribution of the Alternative Media may result in termination of Alternate Media services or disciplinary action.

Bookshare is FREE online library with over 1,000,000 books, including textbooks and classroom resources for students with dyslexia, blindness, low vision, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers. Students can read books on virtually any device and customize their reading experience in ways that work for them. Visit the Bookshare Learning Center for additional information and resources.

To determine if you are eligible for a free, student membership to Bookshare®, meet with the Alternate Media Specialist, Shirley Ruiz.

Kurzweil 3000 is a comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader, including individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or those who are English Language Learners. 

• customizable text-to-speech audio options to improve comprehension.
• word Predictions
• writing templates
• graphic Organizers
• access the Kurzweil tools anywhere on your PC, MAC, iPad, and with or without an internet connection

Visit the Kurzweil Academy for videos and tutorial.

To determine if you are eligible for a free, student Kurzweil account, meet with the Alternate Media Specialist, Shirley Ruiz.

CompleteLit offers a large collection of Audiobooks for free.

O'Reilly Media - A repository of over 35,000 books, videos and interactive tutorials from more than 250 publishers focused on business and technology. Current content covers such subjects as software and web development, artificial intelligence, game development, computer networking, and programming languages, as well as topics in business management, engineering, and information technology.

OpenStax - Offers FREE textbooks viewable online or downloadable as a PDF.  

Additional resources including videos available in the OpenStax + SE app.

Project Gutenberg is an online library with of over 70,000 of the world's great literature titles. These are older titles for which the U.S. copyright has expired.

VitalSource Bookshelf is an online bookshelf program that is used to download and access your purchased eTextbooks.

eTextbook features include:

• Economical - may be more cost effective when purchasing or renting an eTextbook through VitalSource 

• Instant Access - purchase and read your book immediately

• Read Aloud - listen and follow along as Bookshelf reads to you

• Read Offline - access your eTextbook anytime and anywhere

• Study Tools - built-in study tools like highlights and more

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) has implemented the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) program at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges. Faculty have adopted and created hundreds of ZTC course materials, such as PDFs, websites, or materials embedded into the course within Canvas, to students  at  no cost and with low-cost print options.