University of Arizona

When standard print is a barrier, textbooks and other printed academic materials, such as syllabi and articles, can be converted to electronic text, Braille or large print.  You may have used taped books in the past, but with the flexibility of newer technology, the University converts print to e-text so that you can listen to it with text-to-speech software.  If you’re not familiar with these technologies, please visit the DRC Computer Lab to learn more.  

If you’ve not used document conversion in the past but are interested in trying this accommodation,  talk with an Access Consultant.  The first step would be to experiment with a few chapters of e-text to see if it’s effective for you and gives you better access to your books.  

Requesting books prior to the start of the semester: 

  1. As soon as you register for classes, go to your booklist in UAccess for a list of books that will be used in your classes. 
  • Sometimes instructors don’t identify books right away.  If books are not listed for your course(s), let the DRC know so we can contact the instructors for additional information. 
  1. Send an email message to DRC-books@email.arizona.edu with a list of the books you’d like to use in e-text.  You’ll need to include the following information:
  • Title
  • Author
  • Publishing company
  • Publish date / volume
  • ISBN-- This is a unique identifier for each book and is usually located on the first few pages.  If you have trouble locating this number, please talk with an Access Consultant.  We can’t assure we have the correct book without this number.
  1. With this information, the DRC will contact the books’ publisher to request an electronic file.
  2. If an electronic version is available, your book will be available in an accessible format very quickly.   Check in with DRC if you have trouble using a publisher’s file.
  3. If publisher files aren’t available, DRC will need to scan and convert the text into e-text.  This process can be time consuming so the earlier we begin the better.
  • DRC should know if a publisher file is available within one week of your request.  If you don’t hear from us, please get in touch so we can begin converting your book as soon as possible.
  1. NOTE: Verification that you have a copy of the requested textbook is required before electronic versions of texts will be provided to you.

Process for DRC Scanning

  1. Bring the book to the DRC
  • We’ll keep your book for a few days, cut the binding off, and feed it through our high speed scanner.
  • The book will be rebound with a plastic comb binder and returned to you.  The UA Bookstore does not typically buy back cut and rebound books. 
  • If you prefer to not have the binding removed from your book, DRC will not be able to convert the text; however, you can scan and convert your own book page-by-page in the DRC Computer Lab.
  1. Bring in a copy of the course syllabus as soon as it’s available
  • To receive each installment of your book by the time you need it for class, DRC edits books according to the class syllabus.
  • If we do not get a copy of your book and syllabus your request will be put ‘on hold’. DRC needs those materials in order to convert class materials.
  1. DRC will send you installments of the book in e-text
  • Scanned materials will be proofread and edited
  • E-text files will be e-mailed to you in the order specified in your course syllabus.
  • You will continue to receive installments of the book until you’ve received all the material to be used in the class.