The 1996 Chafee Amendment (Public Law 104-97) allows “an authority entity to reproduce or to distribute copies…of a previously published, nondramatic literary work…in specialized formats exclusively for use by blind or other persons with disabilities.” Disabled Students Programs and Services office (DSPS) can assist you in the production of your course syllabi, handouts, and alternate media (Braille, e-text, large print audiotape ect.) for any student with a documented print disability.

What constitutes a print disability?

According to the Chafee Amendment and clarifying trailer legislation, a print disability is any visual impairment, e.g., blindness or low vision, or processing impairment that interferes with an individual’s access to printed material (e.g., learning disability, brain injury).

What instruction materials are covered under this Public Law? Among other items, the list of covered instructional items includes:

• Course syllabus/tests/quizzes
• All required AND recommended text
• Current novels
• Reference materials/handouts

What is the process for a student to request instruction materials in an alternate format? The process involves four steps:

1. Faculty is responsible for submitting textbook requests for the next semester on time.
2. By using a written statement on the course syllabus, an instructor notifies the class that accommodations and alternate media are available for qualified students with a disability.
3. The student contacts the DSPS office and provides documentation of a disability.
4. If determined eligible for accommodations, the DSPS office will scan and format the instructional materials for the students.
5. Any materials or documents posted on a website, Blackboard or other web based instructional site will be required to be posted in an accessible format. Resources to assist in the creation of accessible on line documents can be found at, http://hightech.redwoods.edu/accessibility