This Service Level Agreement (SLA) outlines the UEA Library’s current approach to provision of accessible formats for students and staff. We know many of our users may not be able to read standard print and may need books or other learning resources in an accessible format, or if the publisher has not created a commercially available accessible version, you may need it converted to an alternative format. This SLA outlines the services UEA Library is routinely able to offer to help users source accessible and alternative formats.
An accessible format is typically a format which can be adjusted by the user, for example by:
Users may also require material in an alternative format to the format in which is it is published, such as large print, braille, audio or other electronic formats.
UEA Library aims to equip users to be able to convert documents themselves, or request materials in alternative formats through services such as RNIB Bookshare or SensusAccess, the latter includes audio conversion options. We also provide the tool Blackboard Ally within the virtual learning environment Blackboard. Ally provides alternative file formats for students to download and accessibility guidance for staff to help them improve uploaded content.
There are two main sources of alternative formats, SensusAccess and RNIB bookshare, both of which are explained below.
SensusAccess is a free to use self-service conversion tool for creating documents in accessible formats. You can use it to convert documents into a range of alternate media including audio books (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (EPUB, EPUB3 and Mobi) and digital Braille.
The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible and less tricky formats.
All UEA students and staff are eligible to use SensusAccess, either to convert files for individual research use, or to convert lecture notes and other educational material into accessible formats.
To convert a document, go to the SensusAccess form. You do not need to register or login. Please ensure you use your @uea.ac.uk email address.
RNIB Bookshare provides textbooks and materials to support the UK curriculum. They offer a range of accessible formats that can be read electronically or adapted to suit your personal reading needs.
This service is for any person who has a print disability, this may include:
To access RNIB Bookshare you need to request an RNIB Bookshare account. We will send login details and some guidance to get you started (usually within 5 working days).
You can browse RNIB Bookshare prior to signing up, but you won’t be able to access content without an account.
Once you receive your login to RNIB Bookshare you can access their catalogue and search for the items you need. You can also place requests for material to be added to the RNIB Bookshare catalogue, but please be aware this can take 8-12 weeks.
If you cannot get the material you need through conversion or RNIB Bookshare, you can use the UEA Library item request options.
Fill out our suggest an e-book / book form if you’d like us to purchase something for the Library, and let us know the format you require. We can buy physical copies if that is available and preferred (although please note this can take up to 4 –6 weeks). Otherwise we will endeavour to provide an accessible e-book or PDF copy.
Fill out our interlending request form if you’d like the following:
We endeavour to respond to an e-book / book request, or fulfil an interlending request, within 5 working days.
Unfortunately, UEA Library cannot offer the following services:
If you feel you are in need of more support to access your reading than UEA Library can provide, including those services listed above, please ensure you speak to Student Journey and Support Services about other ways in which the University can support you.
Wherever possible the library aims to purchase reading material as an e-book or e-journal, which are free from Digital rights Management (DRM) and in a format that can be adjusted by the user.
We purchase e-books from suppliers who score highly in Aspire's national e-book accessibility audit.
In some cases it is not possible to provide an e-book without DRM or in some cases our older e-books may not conform to current standards. We ask users to contact us if this is the case so we can investigate if a more accessible version of the e-book is available to purchase.
We also support reading list resource scanning in order to provide a digital copy of an article or chapter for teaching purposes. Where possible these scans are produced with optical character reading (OCR) so they can be read using screen-reading technologies.
The University uses the tool Blackboard Ally within our virtual learning environment Blackboard. Ally provides alternative file formats for students to download and accessibility guidance for staff to help them improve uploaded content.
Support for teaching staff to improve their accessibility practice is provided through the Inclusivity Network.
This SLA will be reviewed annually by the Assistant Manager (Circulation & Accessibility).
Staff and students can contact the Library to discuss this SLA by emailing lib.helpdesk@uea.ac.uk
Do you need help fulfilling your accessibility requirements in the Library? Speak to our friendly Helpdesk team.
