Welcome to the Alternate Media Center

The Alternate Media Center is dedicated to ensuring that students have materials they need in a format they can use. The center provides alternate media for students with verified disabilities for required textbooks, course materials, class handouts, exams, and other print materials. The center has specialized equipment to scan books and documents, software to convert scanned images to text, software for the conversion of text to Braille or to audio files, and equipment to emboss Braille and create tactile images.

Example of a Braille book containing tactile graphics

What is alternate media?

Print materials are converted into electronic text, such as Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files, which can be accessed with various screen reading or screen enlargement software.

Print materials are translated into Braille or converted to large print.

Print materials may be converted into audio formats such as MP3 or Daisy.

Diagrams and figures are embossed to allow students with vision limitations to feel the tactile images.

Glendale Community College also uses outside resources to acquire alternate media, such as The Alternate Text Production Center, The High Tech Center Training Unit, and Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic.

How does an instructor request alternate media?

Instructors with students who have print disabilities are asked to submit class handouts, quizzes, tests, and other print materials to the AMS three to five days before they will be needed in class, including the date they are needed, and the initials of the student.

How does a student request alternate media?

A CSD Specialist or Counselor verifies the disability, determines the need, and authorizes the appropriate type of alternate media.  The Counselor or Specialist will then complete and sign the alternate Media Request Form and submit it to the Alternate Media Specialist.

How long does it take to obtain alternate media?

Upon receipt of a request, the Alternate Media Specialist will e-mail or phone the student or instructor with a tentative time line for the project. Students will receive another call or e-mail when the material is ready for pick up at the Alternate Media Center. Requests from instructors will be delivered to the instructor's campus mailbox or to the DSPS Testing Center, as appropriate.

The amount of time it takes depends on the type of starting material, the number of pages, and the desired alternate format. Timelines will be determined on a case by case basis.

For additional information regarding Alternate Media Guidelines, please refer to the Chancellor's Office Guidelines for Producing Instructional and other Printed Materials in Alternate Media for Persons with Disabilities.

Contact: Scott Ziegler

Alternate Media Specialist

818-240-1000 ext. 3366

sziegler@glendale.edu