Overview
Welcome to the Student Disability Center’s Realtime Captioning Guidelines page. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students, including those with disabilities. To ensure effective communication and equal access to educational content, we have established the following guidelines for the use of Realtime Captioning in your classes:
Effective Speaking Techniques
- Speak clearly, at a moderate pace, and in a normal tone.
- Do not rush through lectures.
- Avoid simultaneous speaking when multiple speakers are present, as the captioner can only caption one speaker at a time.
- Repeat questions/comments from students as the microphone does not always pick up the sound from the audience.
- Face students when speaking.
Interaction and Participation
- Encourage raised hands and orderly participation.
- When reading text, cite page numbers and paragraphs for easy following.
- Directly address the student with a captioning accommodation and avoid addressing questions to the captioner.
- If students use captioners for group work (many students do not), please send the student's group to the area where the captioner is sitting; or if not possible, allow time for the captioner to move equipment.
- Respect scheduled class end times to accommodate students' and captioners' other obligations.
- Students may need to sit in specific locations to accommodate their disability, such as near the front of the class.
- Avoid starting class early, as captioners may still be setting up their equipment.
Microphone Usage
- If a microphone is available, presenters should wear it at all times to ensure clear audio.
- For Lecture Capture courses, a microphone must be worn at all times, including student presenters and guest speakers.
Utilization of Personal Devices
- Students with a Realtime Captioning accommodation should be allowed to use their laptops, tablets, or cell phones in the classroom to receive captions.
- Instructors who limit the use of personal devices in their course should include a statement in their syllabus advising students needing electronic devices for accommodations to contact them for exceptions, to avoid singling out students with disabilities.
Sharing Preparation Materials
- Provide class materials in advance whenever possible, including PowerPoints, handouts, and charts, to facilitate effective communication. Providing course materials in advance allows captioners to provide accurate captions by familiarizing themselves with course topics, proper names, and terminology.
- It is recommended to share preparation materials at least two hours in advance to allow time for captioners to review and add terminology to their captioning software.
- Course materials can be posted to your Canvas page or emailed to [email protected].
Guest Speakers and Presenters
- Inform guest speakers and student presenters about SDC captioning protocols.
- Please provide any written preparation materials that a guest speaker will be using (PowerPoint slides, handouts, etc.) via Canvas or email them to [email protected].
Remote Instruction
- Ensure speakers face the microphone to maintain clear audio transmission.
- Turning or moving away from the microphone will cause the audio to be unintelligible.
- Be mindful of ambient noises that may interfere with the audio feed, such as shuffling papers or typing.
- Monitor the chat window for questions or requests from the captioner during Zoom lectures.
- When multiple participants are speaking at one time, the audio does not stream through or may cause feedback. Please ask participants to mute their microphone until they need to speak.
- You can use the chat window in Zoom to communicate with the captioner. The captioner will be named “Captioner” in the participant list. Please send all messages to the captioner privately. Do not mention the student's name associated with their accommodation over the microphone or in a public chat.
Realtime Captioning FAQs for Faculty & Staff
Visit the Realtime Captioning FAQs for Faculty & Staff page for more information.
We appreciate your cooperation in implementing these guidelines to foster an inclusive learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].