Types of Alternate Media....In Detail

The table below details each type of alternate media that is offered at Sacramento City College and which disability group uses it.

Type	What is it?	Who uses it?
etext .doc .pdf .txt	Simply stated, etext is a data file that can be accessed by a word processor such as Microsoft Word. Students are provided their etext on CDs. Etext is important because it is the basis for generating many other forms of alternate media (Braille, MP3's, etc).	People who are blind, visually impaired, and have learning disabilities use programs such as JAWS, Kurzweil 1000 & 3000 and ZoomText to enlarge or read etext out loud.
Large Print	Printed text that has been enlarged to at least 14 pts.	The visually impaired, and people who are far sighted.
Braille	Tactile written language invented by Frenchman Louis Braille in the early 1800's.	The Blind and visually impaired. Note: not all non-sighted people can read Braille.
Tactile Graphics	Simplified graphical images that use raised lines and textures to convey information.	The blind and visually impaired.
Audio files	Also known as books-on-tape or CD. New technology allows conversion of etext into audio formats, such as MP3 and WAV files, which are then placed on CDs for students to use with their computers or MP3 players.	The blind, visually impaired, and people with learning disabilities.

Electronic text is often used with assistive computer technologies such as screenreaders, screen enlargers, and voice recognition software.

>> Please visit the Assistive Technology Lab website to see what is available on campus!

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