What Services are available for Blind & Low Vision Students?
Blind and Low Vision students are often supported by the Commission for the Blind for equipment and transportation.
Accessibility Services (AS) provides accommodations for these students to access class content digitally, navigate the classroom predictably, and advocate for additional support as needed. AS has also partnered with the SFCC Library and the NM State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled to provide vital technical supports for student success.
What is the Process to Request Services?
1. AS Eligibility: Students must complete the 3 Step Intake process with Accessibility Services prior to receiving accommodation services. Possible accommodations are:
| Textbooks in an audio or large print format | Peer notetaker support or an alternative notetaking solution |
| Extended time for assignments or exams | Audio captures of class for review |
2. NM State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Eligibility: The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) administers a free national library program that provides recorded and braille materials to people who cannot use standard print materials. Review eligibility requirements here.
Possible adaptive technology through the NLS are:
Digital Talking Book Machine (BARD) can play digital talking books on either a library provided cartridge or a personal USB flash drive. Audio books are provided on a digital cartridge or via the BARD website/mobile app. Each cartridge can be customized to your preferences. That includes separating cartridges out by number of books, author, genres, and series.
The Scribe Mini is a self-service station for patrons who are familiar with the digital cartridge process. This service will be available to members of the public (who are eligible for Blind and Print-Disabled services) during SFCC Library’s open library hours.
Digital Talking Book Machine (BARD) can also be access on the BARD website or mobile app.
Braille on Demand allows individuals to choose 5 titles, per month, of physical Braille books to keep.
The Office of Online Teaching and Learning
For support in navigating online learning, read-aloud programs in Canvas, and Accessibility settings in Canvas, schedule an appointment with the an Instructional Designer.
Support for Instructors
- Essential universal design principles are necessary when developing course content that is accessible, including closed captions and visual descriptions for multimedia materials.
- Contact Online Teaching and Learning (OTL), otl@sfcc.edu, if you have any questions or need training on how to use features in different platforms to make sure communication is accessible such as: read aloud text, alternative text on all images, and digitizing all assignments.
- We encourage instructors to use how to check in Microsoft products, and how to check in Adobe products to make documents accessible.
- All written material in class, including assignments, tests, projects, items written on the chalkboard and/or overhead transparencies should also be stated orally and duplicated in advance in enlarged print, Braille, or digitally in Canvas.
- Please contact Accessibility Services regarding Braille translation.
- All videos and audio captures should be accompanied with Closed Captions and a transcript. Please complete OTL’s Caption Request form for assistance.
- Allow student time to use speech to text technology when reading. This can be found in Canvas or using an alternative adaptive technology. You can use Accessibility Checker in the Canvas RCE to format content for read aloud software.
- Student that are low vision or blind and requires preferred seating for the semester. This provides the learner with:
- a consistent environment to access spatial awareness.
- the ability to see the board or hear clearly when lecturing.
- It is important that this seat is not moved. If the classroom is to be re-arranged, provide the student with a week’s notice and explain in detail what will be changed around their seat.
- Keep classroom clutter free, to avoid the student from tripping over anything on the floor that they cannot see.
- Please speak clearly with this student when providing instruction and directions.
- Speak first and introduce who you are, so the student can locate where you are at by the sound of your voice.
- Use their name so they are aware you are addressing them and not someone else in the classroom.
- Be specific when giving directions in reference to the dynamics of the classroom.
- Speak naturally and at a reasonable pace.
- Give a clear illustration when describing things to an individual with visual impairments.
