Possible ways to make study materials accessible
Dedicon is the organisation that makes text and images accessible to all. That applies to textbooks as well! The content can be adapted into many different forms. Books, for instance, can be made available in braille or with enlarged text, read aloud (as an audio recording) or converted into an accessible PDF.
Is the textbook or reading format not in stock? Dedicon can convert textbooks for visually impaired students to a desired reading format on request. They can submit a production request. Adapting the study material in terms of reading format takes on average 4 to 12 weeks. Please take this into account and submit your request in time. Different production times apply to different adjustments of reading formats.
If you have dyslexia, you must indicate this in good time to the study programme in which you will be studying. Support can be provided in a number of ways. It is very important that you have a dyslexia declaration. Students with dyslexia can make use of what is already available in the collection at Dedicon. For hbo and wo Dedicon has a collection of more than 7.500 study books, for instance in spoken form or in enlarged form.
Accommodation schemes
Nationwide schemes
In the Netherlands, there are nationwide schemes that might provide you with financial assistance for making the study material accessible to you, so you can be successful in your studies. In some cases, you can request aids from the Social Security Agency or receive funds from them for that purpose. Please note: do not go out and buy the accommodations yourself without talking to the Social Security Agency first. If you do, you run the risk of an unpleasant surprise if reimbursement turns out not to be an option!
Schemes at your educational institution
To help them take part in education and with regard to adjusted study materials, students with a special need can choose from multiple possibilities. Below, a number of examples are given of the other possibilities for aids and adjustments. These options can differ from one educational institution to the next. There may also be other additional options besides these accommodations. Ask your educational institution about the possibilities and try to explain what you need in clear terms!
Examples of adjustments that can be requested from your educational institution:
- Enlarged-print version of a test on paper
- A laptop with ICT support such as text-enlarging software, text-to-speech software or VoiceOver or a refreshable braille display.
- Providing accessible course material in digital form
Other accommodations that may help you are:
- Educational aids such as a laptop and text-to-speech/dictation software
- Educational aids
- Information on aids and accommodations for attending class and testing
Have a look at the other facilities, accommodations or schemes that might be helpful for you, too.
Tips for adjusted study materials
How can you quickly make a document accessible?
Your lecturer can quickly adjust their assignments with the push of a button. This is possible via the conversion service offered by Dedicon. The service enables you to convert documents to an accessible format. If you have a visual impairment or dyslexia, you should tell your lecturer about this possibility. That way, you and your fellow students with disabilities can easily read the assignments as well.
More information on the importance of accessible education and how you can adapt various documents (and the tools you can use to do so) can be found on this website.