Alternate Text Formats

As a university student, it’s important that you have access to course content and information in an accessible format. Alternate text formats are available to ensure you can complete readings, participate in class and help you fulfil course requirements.

Could you benefit from assistive technology?

Refer to the Assistive Technology page to explore your options and learn more.

Assistive technology

How to access alternate text formats

In Student Accessibility Services, we work with Library Accessibility Services (LAS) to provide alternate text formats for students with disabilities. You must register with Student Accessibility Services before you can request alternate text formats.

You must register with Student Accessibility Services to request alternate text formats. Through this process, your program coordinator will work with you to develop an accommodation plan that meets your disability needs. Learn more on the Registration and Appointments page.

New student registration

Here are some examples of alternate text formats.

  • Braille
  • Word or PDF documents
  • Kurzweil
  • Audio files

Your Student Accessibility Services program coordinator can help identify which formats are the best options for you.

If you require braille or Word files, please contact liblas@mcmaster.ca as soon as possible, as these requests may take several weeks to process.

In order to make requests through MySAS Portal, your accommodations must be active for that semester.

Activate your accommodations
  1. Submit requests for alternate format material through MySAS Portal as soon as possible, as the conversion process can take time to complete.
  2. If you want to submit a request for a future semester, please submit this form instead.
  1. Request sent to publisher – Textbook files are requested from publishers, as they have the highest quality files. This is the first step on the journey to an accessible file.
  2. Files received from publishers – Publishers often send us files in inaccessible or less than ideal formats. From here, we will work on them until the file is accessible and the format is consistent. This is the second step in the files’ journey. Unfortunately, there is no standard time for this step; it depends on a variety of factors, including the number of transcriptions being worked on and the requested format.
  3. Transcription completed – Great news! Your transcription has been completed! You should be receiving the file shortly.
  4. Request shared with student – We have sent you an email with the link to your textbook. Please check your spam folders and contact liblas@mcmaster.ca if you haven’t found it. 

Request Alternate Format Material – Text is Listed

  1. Ensure your accommodations are active for the semester.
    • If you are trying to request alternate format materials for a future semester, please complete this form.
  2. Login to MySAS Portal.
  3. Click “Accommodation” in the menu on the left.
  4. Click “Alternative Format”.
  5. On the “Official Text” tab, scroll until you find the text you would like to request.
  6. Click “Request”.
  7. On the new page, scroll down to the question “What format would you prefer your transcription in?”.
  8. Use the dropdown menu to select the “Requested Type of Alternative Format”.
  9. Read the Statement of Agreement and select I agree.
  10. Click Submit.

Once submitted, Library Accessibility Services will review and process your request. To see your request status, click on the “Request Submitted” button and scroll to the bottom of the request. 

Remember, some textbooks can take a while to convert. It’s okay to contact LAS once in a while to check on the status of your alternate text.

Screenshot of MySAS Portal showing Alternative Format page under Accommodation section. It displays course information for Physiology 201 with instructions to request alternative text formats. The interface features navigation options on the left and a section to sort results.
1. Select “Accommodation” and then “Alternative Format.”
MySAS Portal page displaying the Alternative Format section. The "Official Text" tab is active, showing "Physiology 201" with a "+ Request" button highlighted.
2. Scroll to find the text you want, then click “Request.”
MySAS Portal webpage with a form for transcription preferences. A dropdown labeled "Requested Type of Alternative Format" is highlighted in red.
3. Choose the type of alternate format you require.
Webpage showing a "Statement of Agreement" with a checkbox to agree, highlighted in red. Buttons for "Submit," "Save," and "Cancel" are below.
4. Click submit.
Screenshot of the MySAS Portal interface showing a list of course requests. "Request Submitted" is highlighted under Physiology 201. The page has a maroon header and a sidebar with navigation options.
5. To view the status your request, click “Request Submitted.”
MySAS Portal interface displaying a request status highlighted in red, reading 'Request sent to publisher.' Navigation menu with options like Accommodation and Test Booking is on the left, with action buttons for Submit, Save, and Cancel below.
6. Request status will be listed at the bottom of the page.

Visual instructions: Click on the screenshots to expand.

Request Alternate Format Material – Text is Not Listed

  1. Login to MySAS Portal.
  2. Click “Accommodation” in the menu on the left.
  3. Click “Alternative Format”.
  4. Select the “Student Entered” tab. 
  5. Click “Add New Alternative Format Request”.
  6. Select the Semester and the Course you are requesting alternate formats.
    • If you are requesting alternate format materials for a future semester, please complete this form.
  7. Enter the textbook title and edition, author, and ISBN, if known.
  8. Use the dropdown menu to select the “Requested Type of Alternative Format”.
  9. Read the Statement of Agreement and select I agree.
  10. Click Submit.

Once submitted, Library Accessibility Services will review and process your request. To see your request status, click on the “Request Submitted” button and scroll to the bottom of the request.

MySAS Portal interface showing 'Alternative Format' section. Options for 'Official Text' and 'Student Entered' are outlined. A button says 'Add New Alternative Format Request'.
1. In the Student Entered tab, select “Add New Request.”
MySAS Portal webpage displaying the Alternate Format Text Request Form under the Accommodations section. Key options include 'Submit' and 'Cancel' buttons, with instructions for requesting materials in alternative formats. The page features a sidebar with navigation links to Home, Surveys, and more.
2. Complete the form and click submit.
MySAS portal page showing two course entries: Physiology 201 with a 'Request Submitted' status highlighted, and Anatomy 101 with a '+ Request' option. The page has a maroon header and navigation menu on the left.
3. To view the status your request, click “Request Submitted.”
Screenshot of MySAS Portal showing request status as 'Request sent to publisher.' Includes menu options on the left and buttons to 'Submit,' 'Save,' and 'Cancel' at the bottom.
4. Request status will be listed at the bottom of the page.

Visual instructions: Click on the screenshots to expand.

Copyright requirements

Alternate format texts follow the same copyright requirements as the original text (i.e., textbook). Visit McMaster’s copyright website to learn more.

Copyright at McMaster