Alternate Media

Textbooks, instructional materials, and other printed information being converted to another format such as Braille, large print, or electronic text. The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has held that the three basic components of effective communication include: "timeliness of delivery, accuracy of the translation, and provision in a manner and medium appropriate to the significance of the message and the abilities of the individual with the disability.

Alternate Media Production Policies

Saddleback College will make available, upon request, in alternate media, any publication it offers to the general public such as the college catalog, announcements about cultural or recreational events sponsored by the college, job announcements, etc.  Nevertheless, since most requests are likely to come from students, the primary focus in these guidelines will be to provide instructional materials in accessible formats.

Request an Appointment with the Alternate Media Specialist

Appointments will take place over Zoom. Special consideration for in-person appointments for students requesting will be given. Please email Mike Sauter to request an appointment. During the appointment we will discuss your specific accommodation request(s) as they relate to Kurzweil Audiobooks, Notetaking/Recording Apps, Braille production, and other Assistive Technologies.

Request an Appointment with the Alternate Media Specialist

Request a textbook or instructional material in Alternate Format

Students may request the following materials in alternate formats:

  • Required and recommended textbooks which you have purchased or rented. 
    • You can purchase/rent the book(s), new or used, in hard copy or electronic (online) format.
    • Proof of purchase is required and may include:
      • Your receipt or rental agreement (it does not matter where you purchased or rented the book)
  • Instructional Material for a class in the form of ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost), Handouts and other class materials.

To request your textbook and other materials in alternate formats, please use the following form and have this information ready:

Kurzweil Reading Program

We use the Kurzweil Reading Program for textbooks and class materials. To have your textbooks converted for your class please follow the procedure listed below.

The timeframe depends on many factors, however, we strive to provide you with the material you need in a very timely manner. 

Study Skills with Kurzweil 3000
Remote video URL
Writing Tools with Kurzweil 3000
Remote video URL

If you would to have your canvas class read out loud to help with understanding the material you can use a free tool called “Kurzweil Read the Web Chrome Extension.” It will read out loud any webpage, online textbook or web resource that your class is using. Please follow the directions below to install and activate the free tool. 

  1. Open a Chrome browser window. 
  2. Click on this link “Kurzweil Read the Web”
  3. “Add to Chrome” then click “Add extension” to install it.
  4. The extension will install, and a small Kurzweil Icon will appear in the upper right corner of the browser window. 
  5. To activate the “Read the Web” Extension, click on the icon in the upper right corner and a sign in for Kurzweil will drop down. Use your existing Kurzweil Username and Password to sign in and the extension will open up. 
  6. You can adjust the settings to choose your desired voice, and speed.
  7. Finally, click anywhere on the webpage to place the green cursor on the page and click the PLAY button to activate the reading. You can read just about everything on the page. If you experience a document, or area that cannot be read out loud please email Mike Sauter.
  8. You can also watch this helpful How to video on Kurzweil Read the Web tool

If you do not have a Kurzweil account and would like to use this tool, please email Mike Sauter msauter@saddleback.edu to request a login. If you experience problems with this tool please email Mike Sauter.

Glean by Sonocent to Record Class Lectures

How does Glean work?

  • View Glean in 1 Minute from Glean on Vimeo.
  • Take live recordings online or in class or import audio from lectures, meetings, classroom activities, and brainstorming sessions. 
  • Add layers of meaning to your project with color, text, images, presentation slides, and PDF documents. You can do this while you record.
  • Transcribe or summarize your recording Edit your project to ensure you have all the content you'll need for your final piece of work.
  • Access the Glean Skills Portal to learn more about using the program

Accessible Topics and Resources

Laws and Guidelines

According to the Chancellor's Office, web pages must satisfy Priority One checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and conform to the standards for accessibility under Section 508 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973.

Both state and federal law require community colleges to operate all programs and activities in a manner which is accessible to students with disabilities. Accordingly, as the system develops its capacity for creation of technology based instructional resources and the delivery of distance learning; it must proceed with the needs of all students in mind, including the unique needs of students with disabilities.

Distance Education: Access Guidelines for Students with Disabilities, August 1999 Chancellor's Office California Community Colleges

From the Chancellor's Office