The Alt Media Files | Accommodations for Students | Episode 2

Creating accommodations for students with disabilities is essential in fostering an inclusive education system. This post walks through the process of breaking down a large PDF file into smaller chapter-based PDFs, converting them into Kurzweil (K3000) format, and finally uploading the processed files into a student’s account for accessibility purposes.

Video Guide

1. Prepare the PDF for Processing

Check for Crop Marks

Before beginning the conversion process, inspect the PDF file for any crop marks or unnecessary elements that might interfere with text processing. In our video example, no crop marks were present, so the file could proceed to the next step.

Clean Up Bookmarks

The bookmarks in the PDF indicate chapters and sections. Remove or reorganize unnecessary bookmarks to streamline processing. In our video example, we moved each chapter to the top-level bookmark and deleted the extra part-based bookmarks.

Save the Modified PDF

Save the file after modifying it.

2. Split the PDF into Chapters

Use “Split by Bookmark” Feature

Split the PDF using Adobe Acrobat’s “Organize Pages” tool. In the video example, we based the split on top-level bookmarks, ensuring that each chapter becomes an individual PDF file. We also used bookmark names as file names to maintain clarity.

Output the Files

Save these files in the same directory as the original PDF for easy access.

3. Convert PDF Files to Kurzweil Format

Move Files into the Processing Folder

Copy the newly split chapter PDFs into a designated input folder. This folder is linked to the K-3000 Automator tool, which automates file conversion.

Run the K-3000 Automator

Launch The K-3000 Automator tool. The tool processes each PDF individually, converting them into Kurzweil format for assistive reading.

Cleaning Up Files

After completing the conversion, delete the original PDF files from the input folder. The new Kurzweil files are in the output folder for final organization.

4. Upload Files to Student Accounts

Organize Files in a New Folder

Create a new folder, ours is titled “Understanding Business – Kurzweil.” This helps differentiate Kurzweil files from regular PDFs.

Launch the Universal Library Uploader

Use the Universal Library Uploader tool to transfer files to the student’s account. Set the destination folder to Private, ensuring restricted access for the student.

Upload Process

Locate the recently created folder containing the Kurzweil files and upload, transferring each chapter file into the student’s account.

5. Notify the Student

Send an Email Confirmation

Send an email to the student once the files are successfully uploaded. The email includes details on how to access the files within the Kurzweil system.

Final Check

Review to ensure that all files are correctly stored and accessible. Delete any remaining temporary files to free up storage space.

This automated workflow ensures a smooth and efficient process for converting textbooks into accessible formats. By utilizing bookmarks for structured splitting, K-3000 for text-to-speech conversion, and the Universal Library Uploader for distribution, students can access educational materials in a format that supports their learning needs.

By following these steps, educators and accessibility specialists can enhance inclusivity and provide equal learning opportunities for all students.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!