SensusAccess is an automated document converter that will convert files into alternative formats, including audio books (MP3) and ebook formats (EPUB, MOBI). It also converts scans (i.e., images of a text, or image-based PDFs) to accessible PDFs or Word documents. It has a simple, accessible interface, with no pop-ups and no requirement to sign in.
All Southampton Solent students and staff may use SensusAccess. You can watch a brief introductory video to SensusAccess if you have two minutes to spare. For more information, see under the Using SensusAccess heading below.
The University Library is trialling access to SensusAccess as an addition to, not a replacement for, the Alternative Formats service it provides. Students who require alternative formats for their studies should register for the Alternative Formats service via Access Solent.
Using SensusAccess is simple and intuitive, so you could simply go to SensusAccess. You upload a file, select the conversion you want, enter your Solent email address and click Submit. The conversion is then emailed to you. For small files and simple conversions, the file will normally be returned in a few minutes, but larger files can take longer.
But you can get more out of its advance features by exploring how to use it in detail. You can watch a brief introductory video to SensusAccess if you have two minutes to spare, or if you want to dig deeper, take one of the SensusAccess e-learning modules.
Documents you submit to the service are automatically deleted once they have been converted. SensusAccess does not store personal information. Nevertheless, you should not submit documents that contain personal or sensitive data to the service.
Sending a file to conversion through SensusAccess makes a copy of that file and therefore might infringe copyright. It is legitimate to use the service for works that are unprotected by copyright or if you have permission to copy the work.
If you are a disabled person, then it is likely that converting documents via SensusAccess will be legitimate, provided the resultant files are for your own use only. Similarly, if you are converting documents on behalf of a disabled person, then the documents must be for the use of that person only. We recommend that you learn about the exceptions to copyright for disabled persons; a good place to start is at the Copyright User page on disability.
Solent Library runs the Alternative Formats service to provide print-impaired students with alternative formats of items on course reading lists.
Any Solent University student who has difficulty using print books through visual impairment, dyslexia or any other condition that makes use of a printed text difficult. The student must register for this service through Access Solent. This facilitates a full discussion of the student's needs and how these needs might be met with existing help options. If alternative formats are found to be necessary, the student is referred to the Library by Access Solent and the Library will contact the student by email to discuss what is needed.
You can contact Access Solent via email at access@solent.ac.uk or telephone on 023 8201 3201.
Upon receipt of a request, the library will endeavour to source a suitable format for the student either via an electronic version, a file from the publisher or digitisation. In some rare cases we are prevented from supplying a suitable format because of copyright restrictions or technological barriers. Students referred to the service will also be signed up to RNIB Bookshare.