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Alt Format Refresh for Seasoned Professionals

Handouts

Presented at 9:00am in Colorado G-H on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

#39767

Speaker(s)

  • Christa Miller, Independent Consultant
  • Dawn Hunziker, Associate Director, University of Arizona

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 3-hr
  • Format: Panel
  • Expertise Level: Expert
  • Type of session: Pre-conference

Summary

With the closure of Access Text Network (ATN), many seasoned professionals need to refresh their knowledge of applicable laws, best practices on creation, and methods of acquiring alternative format (alt format). This half-day pre-conference focuses on just-in-time information for offices looking for a rapid review of what to know about making and creating alt format.

Abstract

Many advancements in the law and technology have made it possible to streamline the creation and acquisition of alt formats for students with print disabilities. The loss of ATN as a consolidated resource for acquiring textbooks is forcing institutions to re-examine their processes. Despite this the community of experts continues to stand in the gap to minimize the impact to students with print disabilities. If your alt format process needs a refresh, this session is for you.

During this interactive discussion the presenters will showcase: 1) The historical/legal context of alt format, 2) Tools for manual creation of alt format (chop, scan, tag, and deliver), 3) Automated tools for alt format, 4) Preferred file format discussion (RTF, DOC, PDF, EPUB, BRF, etc), and 5) Best practices for working with publishers.

Attendees should plan for a lively discussion of the merits and drawbacks of various approaches to providing alt format.

Keypoints

  1. It's time to refresh our knowledge of go-to resources for acquiring alternative format.
  2. Taking advantage of the ATN service shut down can be an opportunity for innovation.
  3. Print-based disabilities are not going away and neither is alternative format.

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Vision

Topic Areas

Alternate Format, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Christa Miller

Christa is a longtime accessibility advocate. Over the last two decades she has worked in many accessibility areas such as assistive technology, Braille, professional development, universal design for learning, disability accommodations, and web accessibility.

Dawn Hunziker

Dawn collaborates with Disability Resource Center staff and the UA campus community around physical, digital, and event access which also includes alternate format production (e-text and captioning), and communication access (ASL Interpreting and CART Real-Time Captioning services).

Handout(s)