Resource access and alternative formats
The Resource Access and Alternative Formats Service supports students, researchers, academics and staff who encounter accessibility barriers when accessing Library resources.
We investigate available access options and, where appropriate, source or provide suitable accessible formats to support equitable access to Library-held resources.
How does the service work?
Every request is assessed individually. Where possible, we will:
- identify whether an accessible version already exists
- source an accessible version from a publisher, vendor or authorised supplier
- investigate access through Library collections, document delivery or resource-sharing pathways
- consider alternative format conversion where a suitable version cannot reasonably be obtained.
How long until a request is fulfilled?
The time to fulfil a request will vary, as some require investigation with publishers, vendors or external providers.
Where possible, requests should be submitted at least 14 days before the resource is required. Requests involving format conversion may require additional time.
Where a resource is required for an upcoming assessment, students should discuss potential extensions or adjustments with their Subject Coordinator as early as possible.
The Library will continue to investigate available access options and, where appropriate, identify similar or equivalent resources that may assist.
Who can use the service?
The service is available to coursework and research students, academic and professional staff who require assistance accessing Library resources, where the given format, file type, platform or publisher creates barriers due to disability.
These barriers may arise from publisher download and print restrictions, and/or fixed formatting that hinders the use of assistive or adaptive technologies, such as text-to-speech tools or accessibility settings.
What resources are supported?
The service currently focuses on books, eBooks and journal articles held by the Library.
Support is focused on situations where the resource itself is available, but the method of accessing or using it creates an accessibility barrier. For coursework students, this will typically involve prescribed or required readings.
For researchers and staff, this will typically involve resources required for research, teaching or other University duties.
What about other text-based resources held by the Library?
Where a resource is essential for study, research, teaching or University duties, the service can also investigate accessibility barriers affecting other text-based resources held by the Library.
This may include:
- reports, government documents, theses and dissertations
- reference works, encyclopaedias and individual reference entries
- trade and professional publications, magazine and newsletter articles, reviews and conference papers
- archival correspondence, manuscripts, ephemera, maps, posters, pamphlets, special collections material and other unique or unpublished text-based resources
As with books, eBooks and journal articles, every request is assessed individually. The Library will investigate available access pathways and, where appropriate, suitable alternative formats.
What if I need something not supported by this service?
The Library can help connect you with the most appropriate pathway.
If you require assistance with study planning, workload management or engaging with large volumes of course content, an Academic Skills Advisor may be able to assist.
The Library does not create or provide course readers or printed collections of subject readings. Access to prescribed and recommended readings is provided through the Talis reading lists, available within an LMS subject.
If you require assistance with learning how to print on campus, the Library can help you develop skills to print independently.
Accessibility issues relating to teaching materials are generally best addressed by the area responsible for creating and maintaining the content.
For assistance with LMS content, lecture materials, tutorial resources, assessment materials or broader subject accessibility concerns, please contact your Subject Coordinator or Accessibility Advisor.
If the Library does not currently hold a resource you require, there may still be options available through our inter-library loan and document delivery service.
In some cases, the most effective approach is to obtain the resource directly from the organisation responsible for creating or publishing it. This may include:
- websites
- grey literature
- government publications
- research institute publications
- publisher content not held by the Library
Many organisations already provide accessible versions, alternative formats, transcripts, captions or accessibility contacts. Where appropriate, we recommend contacting the publisher, author, government agency, research institute or other responsible organisation directly for access to the most authoritative version.
This approach is often helpful for publications pending release, embargoed materials, difficult-to-obtain resources and content not available through Library collections.
Copyright and Licensing
Resources supplied through this service remain subject to copyright, licensing and publisher restrictions.
Where appropriate, the Library may rely on licensing arrangements, document delivery, education and disability access provisions within the Copyright Act 1968 to facilitate access to materials.
Materials supplied through the service are intended for the use of the requesting student, researcher or staff member and should not be redistributed.