Accessibility to Print
Situation
A small but very able group of blind students is presently enrolled at the University across a range of Departments In order to access textual material for their courses, most of these students use specialist software which enables independence of study as long as the original material is both electronic and of good quality. This independence is very much in the interests of these students, allowing them to study where and when they wish as is the accepted practice for all other students.
At present Disability Services operate an Alternative Print Service to produce course material for these students. The difficulty is that all material for each student in every course is required on the first day of each semester, and this is often provided in hard copy. If lecturers who have blind students enrolled in their courses are late in providing their material to the Alternative Print Service, the processing of some material cannot be completed in time for the first classes. This seriously disadvantages blind students because while all other students have the text, the blind students do not.
If, however, electronic copies of course materials can be provided to the Alternative Print Service as soon as these are completed (ideally 1-2 weeks before the commencement of classes), then such copies can be edited and produced for the student within a time frame that ensures they receive their course materials at the same time as other students.
Such an approach would bring about efficiencies in the service, and better fulfil the University’s responsibility to provide accessible information for blind students as part of its commitment to the delivery of equal educational opportunities to students with disabilities.
Recommendation
That The University of Auckland adopts the following policy:
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That for blind or visually impaired students participating in courses, all feasible printed material for study and research purposes be presented in good quality electronic format accessible to Mac and PC computers.
- That this material be provided in a timely fashion (ideally one to two weeks prior to the commencement of the course).
- That Departments be informed by the student and/or staff member from Disability Services no later than four weeks before the material is required.
Under this policy, it is the responsibility of each blind or visually impaired student and/or a staff member from Disability Services to inform the appropriate lecturers of the student’s participation in each course. This is to be done no later than four weeks before the material is required. On-going liaison, information and assistance regarding each student’s requirements will be provided by Disability Services.
[This submission is collated and presented by Lynne Crabb, Manager - Disability Services, in consultation with a representative group of blind and vision impaired students who attend The University of Auckland].
