Mount Wachusett Community College
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RFB&D Operation

Alternative Textbooks on Audio

Testing

RFB&D (Recording for Blind and Dyslexic) Operation
RFB&D, a national nonprofit, volunteer organization, has been the leading producer of accessible educational materials for students with disabilities such as visual impairment or dyslexia that make reading standard print difficult or impossible. RFB&D's audio books are a terrific resource for students with learning disabilities, visual impairments, and physical disabilities.

This operation is free to students who are registered with disability services; MWCC has a membership with RFB&D which allows the college to borrow 50 audio textbooks a year. For more information about RFB&D, please visit http://www.rfbd.org/

To request an audio textbook, students must make an appointment with the Disability Coordinator Donna Thibault (978) 630-9120, d_thibault@mwcc.mass.edu or Linda Gagnon (978) 630-9197, l_gagnon@mwcc.mass.edu to fill out the Adaptive Referral Form. When approved, the student must see Adaptive Lab Specialist, located in the lower level of the library, room 075 to request the audio textbooks and to provide the textbook information (download the form).

Receiving textbooks on audio from RFB&D takes one to two weeks. The student will receive an alternative textbook on audio from the adaptive lab until the RFB&D audio textbook is received. Students will receive a call from the Adaptive Lab Specialist. Students need to sign the RFB&D audio textbook contract with the Adaptive Lab Specialist to pick up the audio and the audio player (free loan). This contract will be good for one semester. Students will receive a letter from the adaptive lab to return equipment and audio textbooks at the end of the semester.

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Alternative Textbooks on Audio Operation
The adaptive lab provides the alternative textbooks on audio for eligible students. This service is for audio textbooks unavailable through RFB&D. Students must meet with the Disability Coordinator to be approved and must request this operation through the Adaptive Lab Specialist. The book information (download the form) along with the class syllabus must be provided at this time. The student's textbook may be needed for a short time in the lab for the purpose of creating audio.

The Adaptive Lab Specialist will contact book publishers to request an electronic textbook file. This e-file will be used for making an audio or for students who have the reading program at home (download the contract form). Student will be contacted by the Adaptive Lab Specialist when the e-file is available.

Testing
Procedure for Test Accommodations

• Student with a documented disability requests a test accommodation from the coordinator for students with disabilities.
• Student's documentation is checked to determine the appropriateness of the request.
• If documentation substantiates the request, the coordinator fills out the Test Adjustment form. The form is completed in a very specific manner including the contact person who will assist with the implementation of the accommodation ( e.g., Academic Support Center, Adaptive Lab).
• The Coordinator retains a copy of the Test Adjustment Form in the student's file.
• The student signs the form and takes it to the professor, who also signs it and retains a copy. The form states that the professor is to be given 72 hours advance notice of the need for the accommodation.
• The student takes a copy of the form to the adaptive lab specialist or staff. It is the student's responsibility to notify the adaptive lab specialist or staff for all test-dates and make sure any specific accommodations have been reserved (e.g. a scribe, a computer, and a lower distraction testing room). The contact person retains the pink copy of the form.
• The professor is responsible for delivering the test (download exam checklist) to the adaptive lab specialist and picking it up afterward. The professor needs to check with the Adaptive Lab Specialist to determine the most appropriate format.

Test Taking Policy
Students who have accommodation forms for test adjustments such as extended time, lower distraction, adaptive lab or other requirements, may take their tests in the indicated location. The conditions of the examination requirements will be provided to the student utilizing the MWCC exam check list form. The adaptive lab specialist or staff accept the test from the instructor. The test will be secured in a locked file cabinet both before and after the testing. The adaptive lab specialist or staff will monitor the student while taking an exam.

• Student is responsible for reserving a test room (check room availability) for each scheduled test in the correct location.
• For each scheduled test, student is responsible for reminding faculty of his/her accommodation.
• Faculty member drops off and picks up the test at the adaptive lab.

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Mount Wachusett Community College 444 Green St. Gardner, MA 01440 Tel. (978) 632-6600