Services for Students With Disabilities (SSWD) provides audio-texts (books-on-tape, Digital Talking Books) electronic-texts (e-texts on CD), and Braille to all qualified students. SSWD purchases an Annual Institutional Membership to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). This service allows us to obtain pre-recorded educational textbooks for students with a documented print disability (visual, perceptual, mobility) at no cost to the student. These are loaned to PSTCC on optical discs in AudioPlus format that require specific playback devices. Many other textbooks in alternate formats are requested directly from publishers.
RFB&D cassette tapes are no longer distributed. Instruction in the use of CD players such as the Victor Vibe and Wave and computer software is provided by SSWD staff. SSWD loans players to students usually on a semester basis. Supply is limited to first come, first served.
If RFB&D books are unavailable, publisher's e-texts are issued to the student. E-texts contain the electronic files of printed pages on CD-ROM. The file type may be Adobe PDF, MS Word, or text. Students must provide proof (e.g. receipt) of textbook ownership prior to being issued alt-format textbooks. Importantly, students must sign a Permissions Agreement and follow the publisher's stated terms and conditions. E-texts can be enlarged and/or read with the appropriate tools such as a screen reader (text-to-speech software, TTS). Various screen readers are provided on the accessible computer in the ERC at each campus. For home and personal use, free and low-cost screen readers are available to download online.
To request class textbooks and materials in alternate formats (e-texts in Word, PDF; AudioPlus CDs; Braille), contact Mary Deschamps at: <madeschamps@pstcc.edu>, 865-539-7298.
Contact Don Amos at <dwamos@pstcc.edu> or 694-6751 regarding assistive technology issues and training assistance.
It is important to participate in priority registration and to submit your requests for alternate format (alt-format) materials as early as possible. Plan ahead! Typically, at least four to six weeks notice is necessary to ensure timely delivery of requested material, depending on the format.
Some textbooks and new editions are not immediately available in a particular alt-format. In this case, we will attempt to find alternate sources/methods of conversion, not always in your preferred format. Please be patient and flexible. Remember, the earlier you sign up for classes the sooner a particular resource can be translated and issued.
*Due to the large demand for playback equipment, tapes, CD-ROMs, textbooks, calculators, recorders and/or e-texts, all items checked out for the semester must be returned by the last day of final exams. Unreturned materials will result in a hold being placed on your grades and registration for future semesters.
Students must first register with SSWD and provide appropriate documentation to be eligibile for alternate formats.
To obtain cassette tapes and AudioPlus CDs, students register with RFB&D by submitting an AIM Student Certification Form (PDF, requires Adobe Reader) to SSWD.
For e-texts provided from a publishing house, students must sign a Publisher's Permissions License
which lists
student rights and privileges. Additionally, students must sign our Borrower Agreement
for all materials and provide proof-of-purchase (bookstore receipt) of textbooks. Please periodically check your email. Alt-format communications and announcements will be conducted via your PSTCC email account.
Updated October 1, 2008