Alternative Media
For those eligible students, Disability Services offers a variety of Alternative Media options for REQUIRED COURSE READINGS in the following formats:
- Textbooks on Tape
- Enlarged print materials
- Scanned images
- Other alternative media options may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Please schedule a meeting with Disability Services to discuss a variety of issues such as; how and when to initiate requests, your responsibility in the process, and how to get the most out of your materials. Every attempt will be made to provide materials to you in a timely manner; however, we cannot guarantee that late requests will be delivered on time for the beginning of a semester.
Please see below for responsibilities and procedures:
Student Responsibilities & Procedures
- Students are required to fill out completely and sign the "Alternative Media Student Agreement" form, which can be obtained from Disability Services. To get a copy of the request form, click here.
- Students need to check the RFB&D website to see if they have the book you are requesting. Please go to their website www.rfbd.org and check.
- Students must order all alternative materials early in the quarter previous to the quarter when materials are needed.
- Every effort should be made to contact faculty to find out the required reading.
- Students must pick up material as soon as they are notified of completion. Materials will not be delivered.
- Students must regularly check to see if materials are completed.
- If classes are changed or dropped, Disability Services must be notified as soon as possible.
- Students must provide Disability Services with a class syllabus which designates required reading.
- Students must indicate the specific alternative format desired.
- A request for change in format or additional materials or impromptu materials will cause a delay in getting materials in a timely manner.
- Student must provide Disability Services with an accurate phone number and E-mail for being contacted.
- Students must check alternative media as soon as it is received to ensure quality.
- Students must meet regularly with
Disability Services to discuss any issues that may occur related to
alternative media.
Do you have a membership with Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)?
Yes - then we encourage you to continue to use it to order your textbooks on tape.
No - Disability Services has an institutional membership with RFB&D and you will not need to purchase one during your time at JMU.
If you already have a membership with RFB&D you simply need to
call 1-800-221-4792 or fax them at
609-987-8116 or go
to their web page www.rfbd.org
with the following information:
• · Your account number
• · Title
• · Author
• · Copyright date
• · Edition number
• · ISBN number (found above the bar code)
• · Publisher
If you do not have a membership with RFB&D and wish to obtain one, you can call the above 800 number and they will assist you through the process of becoming a member.
If you do not wish to become a member and still need to obtain a book on tape or, if RFB&D does not have the tapes you need, come by our office and pick up the "ALTERNATIVE MEDIA REQUEST FORM" and fill out the required information.
Return the "ALTERNATIVE MEDIA REQUEST FORM" and either a copy of the class syllabus or detailed information concerning the schedule of reading (i.e. October 12-chapter 3; October 14-chapter 5-6, etc.).
It is important to remember that obtaining books on tape takes time.
We cannot guarantee delivery dates for tapes; however, you can facilitate the process by providing us with the appropriate information soon after registering for classes.


