Alternate Text

DSS provides assistance to qualified students in obtaining course materials such as textbooks, electronic documents, exams, and other print materials into alternative formats. These include but are not limited to: electronic format (e-text), audio, Braille, and large print. These formats are often used with literacy software, text-to-speech readers, or screen readers.  Alternative formats are available ONLY if it is one of your accommodations.  Eligible students should submit their requests through SAM.

Students and employees who are unable to use print materials due to a disability can request PDFs of copyrighted texts through the HathiTrust Accessible Text Request Service.  If a title is available in the HathiTrust Digital Library, even if it is labeled as “Limited (search-only),” the Library can supply a PDF of the work to registered users.​ To learn more and to register for this service at UD, visit HathiTrust Accessible Text Request Service.


Students can also check the following book sellers to obtain alternative text formats on their own without having to make a request through DSS:

Amazon

Amazon has a robust collection of electronic textbooks and course materials. Students can purchase or rent e-books using the Amazon website including Kindle editions. Students can read with the free Kindle apps (available on iOS, Android, PC & Mac), Kindle E-readers and on Fire Tablet devices. Books from the world’s largest eBook store are read using the Kindle app. On some books it is possible to combine the eBook and audio book for a synchronized reading experience (purchases necessary). Titles in the Kindle eBook store indicate whether they are screen reader supported or not.

Bookshare

An accessible e-book library for students with print disabilities offering free membership for qualified students. Members can access a huge collection of e-books in five different formats – digital book file (ePUB), digital audio (MP3), Microsoft Word, braille ready format (BRF) and DAISY – designed to increase text accessibility for students with print disabilities . To sign up for Bookshare and obtain electronic books, visit the Bookshare sign up page. DSS can assist with Bookshare membership for qualified students. Bookshare offers a free mobile app available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store,

National Library Service

Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States. It is a free library service to persons who are unable to use standard printed material because of visual or physical disabilities. Library patrons can expect to borrow audio or braille books such as they might find in print at a local public library.

Project Gutenberg

Library of over 60,000 free eBooks. Choose among free ePub and Kindle eBooks, download them or you can read them online from the Project Gutenberg website. No special app is needed.

Vital Source

A rich platform for electronic textbooks and other educational titles. Students can purchase or rent e-books using the VitalSource website which are available in either digital book file (ePUB) or PDF formats. VitalSource offers textbooks from leading publishers that may not be easily available elsewhere. Although you have the option to use any compatible reading software you like, you can also use the VitalSource Bookshelf app to access the books. VitalSource Bookshelf is a free digital textbook viewer which allows users to listen to their textbooks and take notes along the way. Bookshelf apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Information about accessibility and VitalSource can be found at VitalSource Accessibility Support .