Electronic Text (E-Text)

Learning Support Services for Students with Disabilities (LSS) Electronic Text (e-text) Conversion Policy

Throughout this policy, RFB&D means Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic.

All students who are eligible for e-text accommodations must sign the appropriate copyright agreement(s).

If a student is eligible for RFB&D membership:

1. LSS shall not perform e-text conversion of materials that are available from RFB&D in AudioPlus CD format.
2. Before the start of each term, LSS will provide the student with a list of which course materials are available from RFB&D.
3. The student may choose which materials shall be ordered and LSS will order the materials.
4. The student must have software or a specialized player to use materials from RFB&D. PC Software currently starts at $45 for a license and portable players are available new for $200. The student is responsible for the cost of this equipment. LSS staff may assist in ordering the equipment.
5. All RFB&D AudioPlus CDs must be returned within the semester ordered.

When Pacific University has determined e-text accommodation eligibility, or when an RFB&D-eligible student's materials are not available in AudioPlusCD format:

1. The student must inform LSS of the course materials that are to be converted. LSS may not be able to convert materials that contain certain foreign languages, significant quantities of mathematical notation, or other unique typographical constraints, all of which have limited transferability to continuous, ASCII plain-text.
2. The student must provide LSS with a copy of the material that is to be converted to e-text. LSS staff may provide assistance to students in acquiring books from the campus bookstore; however, the student is still responsible for the cost of the material. Students may acquire used books whenever possible.
3. LSS will complete converting the course material in as short a time as possible. The student may pick-up the book at LSS when conversion is complete and, as permitted by the bookstore's prevailing return and buy-back policies, return the book to the bookstore.
4. While conversion is in progress, the student may check the book out from the LSS office if needed. This will necessarily lengthen the time it takes LSS to complete the conversion and release the book to the student.
5. Whenever circumstances require a student to purchase two copies of the material, i.e. one for personal use and one for LSS to convert, LSS will make one attempt to acquire a copy from the publisher, in either hard-copy or electronic form, so as to offset the student's cost.