SensusAccess

What is SensusAccess?

SensusAccess is a web-based document conversion solution that transforms text and image-based file types into different formats. Students, staff and faculty can upload files and select from a variety of output options, including audio, braille, and digital text formats.

SensusAccess is intended as a “just-in-time” self-service solution that provides automated file conversion services. Please note that SensusAccess does not replace the need to create documents in an accessible way, and the SensusAccess conversion process alone may not produce a fully accessible document. Content owners using SensusAccess for remediation purposes should always manually review remediated content for accuracy. Consult the Digital Accessibility Office’s resources on Word, PowerPoint, and PDF documents for more information on how to create accessible documents.

What does SensusAccess do?

• Accessibility conversions: Convert image and image-based PDF files to text-based documents (Word, HTML, text-based PDFs, etc.)
• Audio services: Files can be converted into plain MP3 files as well as DAISY (accessible audio) format. 
• E-book services: Documents can be converted into EPUB, EPUB3, EPUB3 with media overlays, and MOBI (Amazon Kindle) e-book formats.
• Braille services: Documents can be converted to and from contracted and uncontracted braille.

Unsure how you could use this service? Here are some possible use cases:

• Individuals with alternate format accommodations can convert documents on their own at any time of day. If you receive materials at short notice and do not have time to have them converted by the Alternate Format Production and Access Center (AFPAC) within Disability Services, SensusAccess can serve as a “just-in-time” solution.
• If you have a long commute or learn better by listening, you can convert text or image-based documents to audio files.
• If you have an image-based PDF, you can use SensusAccess to create a version of the document with digital text instead of an image of text.

Conversion Result Quality

The quality of the file you receive after conversion depends on the quality of the original file. On the contrary, scanned documents with smudges, tears in the paper, underlined or skewed text may result in a poor output file.

Further, while SensusAccess does a good job converting a variety of input and output types, it should not be used to convert files with tables or complex formulas. Visit the Digital Accessibility Office’s resources page or contact them at digitalaccessibility@colorado.edu for assistance with creating accessible content.