2 D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations at Uiowa

Captioned Media: Human Captioning of Videos and/or Transcripts of Podcasts

SDS works with classroom instructors to ensure captioned videos or transcribed podcasts are used during class. Refer to Media Accessibility Guidelines below.

Speech-to-text: Human Live Captioning of Speech

Captioning is an extremely common accommodation among D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Students. While auto-captioning exists for both pre-recorded and live sessions, captions are often incorrect in content and spelling. A human captionist has the ability to add terminology to their “dictionary” of important vocabulary terms, and accommodated students have vital access to additional transcripts and resources when using captionists. CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), C-Print®, and TypeWell are Speech-to-text captioning technology. Student Disability Services works to secure CART or TypeWell services for students who request services. For higher education, CART (which provides verbatim transcription) is the default request. For remote CART or TypeWell, a provider is in a remote location (usually off campus) where they are able to hear the audio through a microphone system in the classroom. The provider produces captioning using a specific software application. The text is displayed in real time to one or more students, via laptops or tablets.

Sign Language Interpretation

An interpreter provides communication access in sign language. Interpreting requests for events outside of the classroom will need to be made by the sponsoring department or organization.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

An Assistive Listening Device (ALD) is a personal amplified listening system, primarily used by D/deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals for sound access. It consists of two devices: a transmitter/microphone for the speaker and a receiver for the listener. The receiver (via earphones, a neckloop, or an earbud) will allow direct amplification of the audio from the microphone to the student without extraneous noise. FM and Bluetooth systems are available at Student Disability Services, and can be loaned out to qualified students at no charge on a semester-by-semester basis.

Clear Masks

Clear Masks are not an approved accommodation through Student Disability Services. If the student desires, SDS can make a request to instructors and provide masks to them if they choose to wear a mask and are willing to wear one provided by SDS. SDS has three different options of masks and can send instructors samples.