Alternative Formats & Technology

Alternative formats provide access to information and knowledge for students with print-related disabilities including blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and certain motor disabilities. Such services are provided at no cost to RCPD registered students with print-related disabilities, who are both deemed eligible for alternative formats and using the material in MSU credit-granting courses.

More information about Alternative formats can be found on our Accessible Textbooks/Media page.

Accommodation: Assistive Technology

Portable Electronic Aids

Students may bring devices to class such as laptops or notetakers.

Other Assistive Technology

Students may have other assistive technology accommodations on their Accommodation Letters, including use of smart pens, use of calculators, use of laptops for typing essay assessments, etc. If instructors have questions about a technology or device-related accommodation they should reach out to the student and their assigned specialist. 
 

Accommodation: Alternative Format or Electronic Materials, E-Text Eligible

Alternatives to Print 

Alternative format materials for those with print-related disabilities include: Braille (literary and scientific), audio, large print, tactile graphic, and electronic. These formats provide access to information and knowledge for persons with disabilities including blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and certain motor disabilities. Such services are provided at no cost to RCPD registered students with print-related disabilities, who are both deemed eligible for alternative formats and using the material in MSU credit-granting courses. 

Preferred Document Format Key:   

  • BRL- Braille  
  • LP- Large Print 
  • EL- Electronic Format 

E-Text Eligible 

Faculty may see this on a student Accommodation Letter but typically do not need to provide any extra materials. RCPD facilitates the E-Text process in partnership with students.  

Electronic text is a term used to describe print materials (often excluding graphics) available in machine-readable or computerized form. With today’s prevalence of electronic materials, faculty may also directly share relevant electronic materials with students and RCPD can help with instruction to make these efforts efficient and accessible. 

Student Responsibilities:  

  • The MSU STAR Books Database is an online books database listing thousands of books made available by the RCPD. (Tip: Remember the STAR web address: BOOKS.RCPD.MSU.EDU).

    *Please note: you must have proof of purchase for the print copy in order to access the electronic version of a book through the STAR Database. 

  • If your book is not on the STAR database, please complete this form for each book you need. It will go into a queue for processing. 

  • If your book is not available through the publisher or other sources, we will ask you to bring your book to the RCPD. We will then cut/rebind and scan the book in and load it to the STAR database. If you rented the book, we can scan the book without cutting it, but this process takes longer.