Requesting E-Text and Alternative Format Materials

  1. Department Directory
  2. Center for Disability Access
  3. Accommodation Requests and Procedures
  4. Requesting E-Text and Alternative Format Materials

Students who are registered with the Center for Disability Access and who have documented print disabilities, certain mobility, or low vision impairments may request their textbooks or other course materials in electronic or other alternative format.

How to Request Alternative Format Course Materials

Eligible students who want to request alternative format course materials should review the following important information:

Sign the Alternative Format Course Materials Agreement in AIM

Log in to AIM to sign the Alternative Format Course Materials agreement, which will automatically pop up based on student eligibility for the semester. The Alternative Format Course Materials agreement asks eligible students to acknowledge and agree to the specific terms about Alternative Format course material policies and adherence to copyright laws.

Alternatively Formatted Materials Agreement

In consideration of the provision of Electronic (E-text) or Other Alternatively Formatted Course Materials, Students must acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

  • I am currently registered at Rhode Island College and enrolled in the particular course or courses for which I am requesting alternatively formatted materials.
  • I will provide the Center for Disability Access proof of purchase for any alternatively formatted course materials requested in adherence to applicable copyright laws.
  • I agree not to copy or reproduce alternatively formatted materials, nor allow anyone else to do so, pursuant to the Copyright Revision Act of 1976, as amended.
  • I will not share the alternatively formatted materials with any other party.
  • I give Rhode Island College permission to provide requested “directory” information (such as name, address, date of birth, etc.) and qualifying disability information to publishers for the sole purpose of providing alternatively formatted materials.
  • I have been notified that some book conversions may require that I provide the CDA with a hard copy of the text (with proof of ownership) for E-text processing. If accessible texts cannot be acquired through standard means, the CDA can manually convert the text by removing the book bindings. Books will be rebound and returned to the student. I acknowledge that the Center for Disability Access assumes no responsibility for damage to the text that may occur during the unbinding, scanning, or rebinding processes and that rebound books may or may not be bought back by the RIC bookstore or other bookstores at their sole discretion.
  • I understand that alternatively formatted material requests are processed in the order they are received and that some requests can take more than 2 weeks, depending on the complexity and availability of the material.
  • I have read the policies and procedures above and agree to comply with them.

I understand that if I violate this agreement, the Center for Disability Access or Rhode Island College may issue disciplinary action that may include a withdrawal or modification of the authorization to receive alternatively formatted materials and a reevaluation of accommodation eligibility for future use.

Eligible students can review previously signed E-form agreements on their AIM Profile under “My Accommodation” by selecting “My E-Form Agreements."

Submit an Alternative Format Materials Request Form for Each Alternative Text Request

  • Please submit an Alternative Format Request Form for each alternative format text you are requesting. The Alternative Format Request Form can only be accessed by eligible students pre-approved for alternative materials through the Center for Disability Access.
  • Students approved for alternative format materials will receive an AIM email with the instructions for requesting alternative format materials. The AIM email also contains the link to access the alternative format request form.
  • Students will need to provide their RIC student ID number, course name, number, section, instructor, book title, and other required text information, as well as upload proof of purchase in the alternative format request form fields.

Proof of Purchase Text Requirement

Proof of purchase is required for each alternative format text that students are requesting. Accepted forms of proof of purchase include a digital scan or picture receipt, invoice record, library text loan record, rental text receipt, email purchase confirmation, and a PDF, Word file, or picture of any online or physical text provided by an instructor. Due to Copyright laws, we cannot provide alternative format text to students without proof of purchase.

Submit E-text Requests as Early as Possible

Alternative Format Requests are processed in the order they are received and are typically made available within a few business days, but note that some alternative format requests can take more than 2 weeks to process, depending on the complexity and availability of the material. The Center for Disability Access recommends that students submit alternative format requests as far in advance of the semester as possible and inquire with their instructors about any required course textbooks before the beginning of the semester