Reading Accom. - Web Resources
Disability Services teaches students to obtain textbooks in alternative, accessible formats from three primary sources. First, there is Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. RFB&D began as a nonprofit following World War II, recording books for blind veterans returning to college. Now, as many of its patrons have other print limitations, such as learning disabilities. RFB&D has traditionally produced college textbooks, but increasingly has books available for elementary and secondary curricula.
RFB&D is the first source for college textbooks. UM students are asked to check here first, and to use the tapes if they are available. Often, because of the numerous edition changes college students are subjected to by textbook publishers, RFBD is also behind in getting the newest editions onto tape. They suggest that you can find about two out of five books on average.
Also, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) produces high-quality books on tape and in Braille for general reading. Sometimes books are available through the NLS program, which distributes materials through its regional library Network. NLS, however, is far more restrictive with respect to learning disabilities than RFBD. In any case, member or not, anybody can use the excellent NLS search engine, which also lists other libraries, such as RFBD, state library holdings, Canadian and British titles.
The newest resource on the scene for print access is Bookshare.org. It is a member-driven repository of titles that its members, blind and with other print barriers, have scanned themselves for their own uses. Thus, the listings reflect what readers have wanted to read, though of course some of the books are those that students have scanned for themselves, too. While the earliest listings may not contain a great number of titles relevant to college courses, Bookshare's growth is inevitable as more and more titles are contributed by individuals and by college and university programs. The University of Montana has already begun submitting its etext titles to the Bookshare repository.
To be eligible for any of these three services, verification of a print disability must be provided. Your Disability Services Coordinator can assist with this. Also, both RFB & D and Bookshare require annual membership fees. Disability Services covers the membership fees for students using these services while they are in school at UM.
The best strategy is to check all three of these sites for each title, that way you can be sure if a title is not available anywhere before coming to your Disability Services Coordinator to see about getting access to etext or other formats through our office.
Finally, there are increasing numbers of texts available on the web for reading or download. Most of these are beyond copyright dates, but they still contain many useful titles.
