Alternative Formats Service (AFS)
Providing accessible resources for print disabled students.
About the Alternative Formats Service (AFS)
The AFS provides print disabled students at the University of Nottingham with accessible versions of resources to support them in their studies.
Access to the service is by referral from Disability Support Services.
What is a print disability?
A print disability is a difficulty or inability to read printed material caused by a disability or long-term health condition.
The key criteria for determining whether you have a print disability is the effect that your condition has on your ability to read printed material, not the specific condition itself.
Conditions could include, but are not limited to:
- Blindness or Visual Impairment (not correctable by glasses)
- Visual processing disorders
- Conditions which affect physical dexterity or mobility, such as Parkinson’s or arthritis
- Specific learning differences, such as dyslexia or ADHD
- Cognitive impairments, such as traumatic brain injury
- Long term health conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome
What can we provide?
RNIB Bookshare
All students referred to the AFS will be provided with an RNIB Bookshare account. RNIB Bookshare is a repository for books which can be downloaded in various accessible formats.
Reading list checking
All students registered on modules will have their reading lists checked for any core or recommended reading not currently available as eBooks or in other suitable formats. They will be provided with links to these books on RNIB Bookshare where available.
Additional resources
Students can also request additional resources not on their reading lists. Where suitable resources are not available on RNIB Bookshare, we can produce the following formats:
- Screen reader-compatible files such as PDFs and Word documents
- Large print
- Print on coloured paper
- Braille (both printed and electronic)
- Tactile images
We can also reformat PowerPoint presentations, or other documents if required.
If you have other needs, please email the Alternative Formats Team to discuss how we can support you.
How to access the service
Students who think they might benefit from AFS support should speak to Disability Support Services about a referral to the AFS.
If you have any questions you would like to ask before pursuing a referral, please email the Alternative Formats Service
Other support available
- SensusAccess is an automated document conversion service that allows you to convert files into formats which may be more accessible to you.
- Enhanced Library Support offers a range of support for disabled students and those with a specific learning difference.