Alternate Format
What is Alternate Format?
Alternate Format is the process of making information available in an accessible format for individuals with visual and other print-related disabilities. The most common formats we convert material into is PDF, EPUB, Word, and .Kesi (Kurzweil). This service is available through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at no cost to students at UIC.
A few important things to keep in mind when requesting Alternate Format Services:
- An alternate format request form must be filled out for all requests.
- Typical turn-around time for this service is 10 business days from the date the form is received by the DRC.
- Course materials for conversions must be provided to our office in a timely manner. The DRC is not responsible for converting materials that are due on or before the week of receiving materials. Course materials due prior to DRC receipt will be worked on as time allows.
If you have any questions or comments about alternate format procedures, you can contact the alternate format team via email at accesstext@uic.edu
Student Guide to Alternate Format Heading link
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What is my first step if I need Alternate Format Services at UIC?
First, you should schedule a meeting with a DRC Disability Specialist to determine whether alternate format is an appropriate accommodation for your documented disability and which format best fits your needs. Check out our Registration Page for more information.
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What is the Alternate Format process?
- Complete the Alternate Format Request Form. Submitting the form will start the process to convert course material into an alternate format.
- If you require textbooks in an alternate format, gather the book title and ISBN for each textbook in order to process your request. If you don’t know this information, you can look it up on the UIC Bookstore website.
- If you indicate on the request form that you need additional materials (syllabus, handouts, non-textbook readings, etc.) converted, we will reach out to your instructors to gather these materials and convert them as they become available
**Please note that it may take up to 10 business days to convert course materials and keep in mind that it is never too early before the semester begins to put in a request!
- Prepare to receive your converted material
- If you are a Kurzweil user, make sure your Universal Library account set up
- If you are not a Kurzweil user, make sure that your Box account is set up by following the steps here: https://accc.uic.edu/answer/how-do-i-create-university-box-account. All students have access to a free Box account through UIC.
If you need assistance with either of these steps you can contact Nicole Sims, our Alternate Format Specialist at accesstext@uic.edu
- The alternate format team will upload converted course material either to your Kurzweil Universal Library or the Box folder the document conversion team creates for you.
- Complete the Alternate Format Request Form. Submitting the form will start the process to convert course material into an alternate format.
Faculty Guide to Alternate Format Heading link
If a student provides you with a Letter of Accommodation that includes an accommodation for alternate format, you can help facilitate the process of making your course material accessible.
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Initiate Alternate Format
Please complete the Alternate Format Request Form. Submitting the form will start the process to convert course material into an alternate format for students.
This form will require you to upload your syllabus and/or course calendar so that our team can assess the scope of the request and follow up with you if necessary.
**Please note that it may take up to 10 business days to convert course materials–It is never too early to upload course material!
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Faculty's Role
The faculty role in the alternate format process will vary based upon the student’s request.
For all requests: ensure that you have completed the Alternate Format Request Form.
For textbook conversions: the alternate format team will coordinate textbook conversions using our online resources. This will likely not require any additional steps on the faculty member’s part.
For students who require any other course material (course material provided by faculty including articles and/or book chapters) in an alternate format, faculty will need to share materials with the DRC Alternate Format team by following the steps below:
- Make sure that you have a UIC Box account set up by following the steps here: Create A UIC Box Account. If you need assistance with this step, you can contact ACCC at consult@uic.edu (312) 413-0003
- Once your Box account is created, the document conversion team will share a Box folder with you titled with the course name and number as well as student’s name. Each course folder will house weekly folders for uploaded content.
- It is the responsibility of the faculty member to upload and organize course material in Box
- Converting course material for students in a timely manner depends upon the document conversion team receiving the course material through Box in advance of when it is needed
- Please remember to inform the alternate format team via email (accesstext@uic.edu) with any changes to your course material as soon as possible.
**Please note that it may take up to 10 business days to convert course materials–It is never too early to upload course material!
If you need assistance at any point in this process, you can contact us directly at accesstext@uic.edu.