What is E-Text?
E-text is short for "electronic text", which is presented on a
computer in electronic format. This is typically accomplished by using software
such as Microsoft Word, Word Pad, Adobe PDF Reader, or Note Pad.
How is e-text used?
E-text can be used in several different ways. With special
software such as screen readers or document readers, e-text can be audibly
"read" by a computer. E-text may also be converted into MP3 files, which can
play on any computer or portable MP3 playing device.
What is an audio
book?
An audio book is electronic text that has been converted into
sound and recorded onto tape or compact disc (CD).
What are books on
CD?
Books on CD are vocal recordings of written texts that are made available in
CD format. Most books on CD from College of the Canyons contain MP3 files. MP3
files will play only on CD players that support MP3 playback. Portable MP3
devices, most home computers, and all College of the Canyons computers have the
ability to play MP3 files. Sometimes, a book on CD will have PDF files instead
of MP3 files. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDF files are scanned
images of a written text with a built in player that "reads" the text to you. To
have a PDF file read it's textual contents to you, within the document select
VIEW, then select READ OUT LOUD. MP3 and PDF are the main file formats in
creating e-text at College of the Canyons.
How do I obtain E-Text Books?
E-Text books must be requested through the DSP&S office. When requesting
e-text, you must bring proof of purchase of the book for which you are
requesting e-text. Once the proof of purchase has been reviewed by the DSP&S
staff, you will then fill out a form detailing the books information. E-text is
provided to our students at no charge.
May I request a
specific file format?
Students may request a specific file format, however, due to time
restrictions and depending on the size, design, and content of the book, it may
not be possible to provide one format over another. In all cases, the content
you receive will be accessible and accommodating to your needs.
How long does it
take to receive the e-text?
E-text generally takes anywhere from two weeks to a month to create. Most
e-text is ordered directly from the publisher, who usually take anywhere from
one day to a month to send out the e-text files. For students wanting faster
results, you have the option to leave your book to be scanned by the DSP&S
department. This process requires that the spine of the book be removed. The
bigger the book, the longer the production time. For large books with pictures
and complex formatting, the production time may be longer than one month. It is
very important to keep this in mind and to submit your request for e-text as
early as possible.
How will I know when
my e-text is ready?
DSP&S staff will contact you by phone when your book is ready to be picked
up. All books ready for pickup will be available at the DSP&S front desk during
regularly scheduled office hours.
May I receive e-text
accommodations after I graduate from College of the Canyons?
Once you graduate from College of the Canyons and move on to a four-year
university or into the workforce, you will no longer be eligible to receive
e-text accommodations from College of the Canyons. However, students are
strongly encouraged to plan ahead for their needs after graduation. E-text
accommodations are available on an individual basis by the following
organizations:
E-Text Resources
Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic
(http://www.rfbd.org): RFB&D is one of the
largest e-text producers in the nation, offering individual memberships to its
library of e-text and books recorded by humans, rather than computer generated
voices.
Project Guttenberg
(http://www.gutenberg.org): Project
Gutenberg is a free e-text library that has a large selection of e-text books
Camera Obscura
(http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/index.html#lector):
Camera Obscura is a free e-text archive that hosts many magazine articles,
newspaper articles and speeches.
If you have additional questions regarding College of the Canyons E-Text
procedures and policies, please contact Scott McAfee, access coordinator.
Telephone: (661) 362-3356
TTY: (661) 255-7967
E-Mail:
scott.mcafee@canyons.edu
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