Accessible Textbooks - Important Considerations

Equal access to all course materials is not just an important aspect of facilitating inclusive learning experiences for all learners. It’s required by law.  

  • Adopting course textbooks as far in advance as possible and prior to the start of the semester is crucial. Faculty are encouraged to work with publishers to select textbooks that are available in multiple formats to facilitate better accessibility for learners. 

  • Copyright laws include exemptions in order to accommodate learners with disabilities.  

  • Under the Customer Service Standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), organizations must serve customers with print disabilities. Educational institutions must serve learners with print disabilities. 

  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles emphasize the importance of adopting textbooks that are available in multiple formats such as paper, electronic, audio, etc. to ensure learners with print disabilities can access course materials. 

  • Selecting a textbook early will help Accessible Learning Services (ALS) to provide a more accessible format in a timely manner to learners registered with our office who have print disabilities when they encounter a textbook that does not meet their disability-related needs.  

  • In the event that a learner with a disability reports that the textbook format(s) available for their course does not meet their disability-related needs, ALS supports the learner in the process of obtaining a more accessible copy.  For example, Accessible Learning Advisors (ALAs) may request alternative textbook formats on behalf of students directly from publishers or by accessing digital repositories such as AccessText Network, Alternative Education Resources for Ontario (AERO) or the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA).  

  • ALS staff support learners who encounter inaccessible required textbooks only. Humber has support available for faculty to ensure they can develop other course materials in accessible formats through Innovative Learning.  

Resources and legislation listed below can provide more details regarding the responsibilities of the institution to ensure learners have access to accessible textbooks: 

Visit our ALS Information for Faculty website to learn more about accommodating learners with disabilities.   

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué.