[Blindmath] What to do when a US college DS office refuses to provide braille when requested

[Susan Jolly]

I've contacted two experts in US disability rights and here is what I found. 
Federal law applies to all colleges and universities except for private 
religious schools that accept NO federal money, not even grants, student 
loans, etc.

First, if you are a braille reader and want braille textbooks and materials, 
that is your right.

Second, typically you need to purchase a print copy of your textbook and 
give it to the DS office.  This is to cover the cost of using a copyrighted 
book.  This is because publishers typically require this and in any case, 
accessible materials shouldn't cost less than standard materials

(Note that in Califorrnia, the law requires colleges to use texts from 
publishers that will provide e-format texts,  preferably braille-ready ones. 
Any college should as a matter of course contact the publisher to see if the 
text is available in e-format for blind people as that would save the DS 
office money and time.  However, this is the responsibility of the office, 
not the student.)

Third, if the DS office says they will only provide audio when you request 
braille, you need to get this in writing.  There are two reasons.  One is 
that the DS office may rethink its position if you ask for it in writing. 
(If necessary, ask a sighted person to double check that the document they 
give you says what it should.) Second, it will help the Department of 
Justice (DOJ) if you move forward with a legal complaint.

Fourth, call your regional ADA Center. There are 10 regional Centers listed 
on this page with their phone numbers and websites.  The states in each 
region are given in print as well as being shown on a map.  They should tell 
you what to do next. Or they may contact the college directly themselves.
http://www.adata.org/Static/ContactUs.aspx

Fifth, if for some reason your regional ADA Center hasn't solved your 
problem, contact the DOJ ADA Technical Assistance Program.
http://www.ada.gov/taprog.htm

Note that you can always call your regional ADA Center for advice even if 
you don't have written documentation of the DS office's refusal to provide 
braille.

Best wishes,
Susan