Closed Captioning Program
The Disability Resource Center is developing a pilot program to provide captioning services for the University. Captioning makes video tapes accessible to students with hearing impairments by displaying the spoken dialogue in printed form on the screen, similar to subtitles. Closed captioning is a labor intensive process. Therefore, when your syllabus includes the use of video tapes, it is necessary to check the tape to see if it is captioned well in advance of showing it in class.
- How do I determine if my video tape is captioned?
-
Captioned materials are sometimes identified on the videotape box by a "CC" or small television icon. Therefore, it is always necessary to verify whether the video is captioned. There are three ways to do this:
- You can check the tape yourself. Most televisions (unless manufactured prior to 1992) have a pre-installed closed caption decoder chip. Simply locate the caption option in your television's menu, turn on the captions, then watch 5-10 minutes of the video to check for captions.
- The Office of Instructional Support and Development (OISD) is available to assist you with determining if the video has closed captioning. OISD can be reached at (706)542-1582.
- The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is also available to check for captioned videos. Call (706)542-8719 for assistance. IMPORTANT: If you would like for DRC staff to check a video for you prior to usage in a class, we must have the video ahead of time, in case a captioned copy must be made.
- Do I need any special equipment in my classroom?
In order to display the encoded captions, you must request a closed captioned decoder or television set with captioning technology built-in. This decoding equipment is available for your use by contacting OISD. Captions will not be visible without this equipment. Please contact OISD with sufficient time to enable them to assist you. Should anything malfunction during the use of the decoder, OISD has technicians on hand to assist you.
- What do I do if my video is not captioned?
-
In the event that your video tape is not available with captions, it is recommended that you consider one of the following suggestions:
- DRC has the capability to create a captioned copy of your videotape. Because captioning is a time intensive process, we must have the video to be captioned no less than 3-4 weeks before it is to be shown in the class.
- OISD has access to a list of video tapes on a multitude of subjects. You may be able to obtain a captioned tape that presents the information you are targeting.
- In the event that a captioned video is not an alternative, a transcript of the materials would be the only way that a hearing impaired student who does not utilize sign language interpreters to receive the information. With approximately 2 weeks advance notice, a transcript can be generated by the Disability Resource Center in time for use concurrently with the video.
- If I have Sign Language Interpreters in my class, do I still need closed captioned video tapes?
It is often difficult to accurately interpret videos that are not captioned due to the speed at which information is transmitted, the length of the video tape, and the detail presented. While some of the information can be transmitted, some will be omitted. In addition, the student must look back and forth between the video and the interpreter, possibly missing information that is only transmitted visually. Therefore, you still need the closed captioning. If you have interpreters and/or can not get your video captioned, please refer to the third suggestion in the question above for instructions on providing a transcript to the student.
Please contact the Disability Resource Center at (706)542-8719 if you have any questions or concerns about providing closed captioned programming.