If you are unable to access textbooks and course materials in their original format due to a disability or condition, we will assist you by arranging for you to receive your materials in the appropriate alternative format.
Publishers require that you purchase your textbooks before we can process requests. Please provide a copy of your sales receipt, which must be from a bookstore or online source. If an accessible format textbook is unavailable from institutional suppliers, arrangements can be made to receive it through AccessAbility Services. If you purchased used textbooks and do not have a sales receipt, please bring in your textbook(s) for in-house alternative format production.
It can take 2 to 4 weeks to receive a textbook in an alternative format, so please request your materials early.
If you require a library book in an alternative format, you can search for a digitized copy through the Ontario Council of University Libraries' Accessible Content E-Portal (ACE). Books in this repository are subject to Canadian copyright law and are made available for use to persons with disabilities listed under section 32 of the Canadian Copyright Act.
You can also request to have a book owned by the University of Waterloo scanned and added to the repository.
To access the ACE repository, you require a unique password/TOKEN which can be issued to you through Library Accessibility Services.
How to request textbooks
Email altformat@uwaterloo.ca or follow the instructions in the Activating Your Alternative Format Accommodations & Uploading Your Receipt(s) How-To-Guide.
Student responsibilities
- Follow copyright restrictions placed on the use of your alternate format materials. You agree not to share the alternate format material with anyone else. Due to copyright laws, the materials transcribed are for your use only.
- Any fines charged by suppliers for lost, damaged or overdue materials will be passed on to the user.