Document Conversion

If you have a visual or other print-related disability, we'll help provide you with printed materials in the following alternate formats. This service is free of charge to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Minnesota.

Each request must include the following items:

A completed Document Conversion Request Form;
A list of reading assignments and due dates or a syllabus for the course in which the materials are to be used;
The materials (print and/or electronic copies) to be converted.

You may complete and then print an online Document Conversion Request Form or obtain a print copy from the Disability Services front desk, McNamara Alumni Center, Suite 180. Contact the Document Conversion Specialist, (612) 624-6899, for assistance.

Audio Tape

Documents not available in audio format from other sources may be submitted to Disability Services for recording. You can make initial requests for course-related materials by calling a Disability Specialist at 612-626-1333.

Audio tape recording can take a significant amount of time, depending on the size of the print document. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of the date when the first installment of the materials will be needed.

Braille

Documents not available in Braille from other sources may be submitted to Disability Services for free Braille transcription. Materials may be submitted in either print or electronic format.

Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of the date when the first installment of the materials will be needed.

Electronic Formats

Documents not available in electronic format from other sources may be submitted to Disability Services for conversion to plain text, word-processor or Kurzweil Educational systems format for use with Kurzweil 1000 or Kurzweil 3000 reading systems. You can make initial requests for course-related materials by calling a disability specialist at (612) 626-1333 (V/TTY).

Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of the date when the first installment of the materials will be needed.

You may also make your own electronic copies of print materials using the scanners available in the Adaptive Technology Labs at the University. Call the Adaptive technology specialist, (612) 626-0365, or the Adaptive Technology Associate, (612) 624-3303, for more information about the labs or how to use the equipment.

Large Print

Documents not available in large print from other sources may be submitted to Disability Services for conversion. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of the date when the first installment of the materials will be needed.

Anyone with access to a computer or copy machine can produce large print documents using one of the methods below. Remember, individual needs vary. Whenever possible, consult with the individual for whom the document is intended to determine his/her font size and style preferences.

Computer

If a document has been created using a standard IBM or Macintosh word processing program, you can easily enlarge it before printing.

Sans-serif fonts usually produce the best results.
Geneva and Helvetica fonts are the clearest.
Bolded characters result in clearer text.
The use of fonts larger than eighteen point will result in fewer words appearing on each page, which makes it difficult for a person to understand the document.

Copy Machine

Documents can also be enlarged by duplicating them on a copy machine that is capable of printing on eleven-by-seventeen inch paper. This is a useful method for producing large print copies of course packets (such as those available from a copy center) or articles in periodicals. The quality of the enlarged version will depend on the condition of the original document.