Closed-Captioning

Classroom Accommodations 

If a deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) student is approved for closed captioning accommodations, SAS will coordinate the closed captioning for the videos. If you are a department wanting more information on how to make your event accessible with closed-captioning, let us know!

STUDENTS

If you need closed captioned materials for your classes (face to face and/or online) make sure you request accommodations using SAS Online Services long before your classes start. 

FACULTY COMMUNICATION

The time frame of SAS’s communication with you can vary depending on when the student registers for classes. SAS will email instructors prior to the start of the semester asking for video materials (e.g., YouTube links, DVDs, narrated PowerPoints, and VHS tapes) and how to submit them.  Due to the labor intensive process, SAS will include a specified due date for your materials to ensure adequate turnaround time. Students change schedules, schedule late, and/or drop and classes with the regularity of any other student.

If the student schedules under the preferred four week notice, we will work with you to develop a reasonable schedule for any captioning requests you might have.

WHY DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE CLOSED-CAPTIONED VIDEOS?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires all media used or purchased by public agencies receiving federal/state funds be accessible. Captioned material not only complies with ADA law, in providing equally accessible material to all students regardless of their disability, it also fulfills the spirit of Universal Design.

CLOSED-CAPTIONING AND YOUTUBE

The closed captioning feature that YouTube has implemented (auto- captions) is not ADA compliant. These videos will need to be additionally edited for accuracy or captioned by the SAS office in order to comply with the law.

Best practices for ADA compliant captions

  • One to three lines of text appear onscreen all at once and stay there for three to seven seconds.
  • Timed to synchronize with audio
  • Do not cover up graphics or other visual elements of the picture
  • Require the use of upper and lowercase letters
  • Use a font similar to Helvetica
  • Have a good resolution
  • Include no more than 32 characters per line
  • One to three lines of text appear onscreen all at once and stay there for three to seven seconds
  • Timed to synchronize with audio
  • Do not cover up graphics or other visual elements of the picture
  • Require the use of upper and lowercase letters
  • Use a font similar to Helvetica
  • Have a good resolution
  • Include no more than 32 characters per line

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

Please contact Danielle Baker-Rose, Disabilities Specialist, at dbaker13@kent.edu or 330-337-4214 or Shannon Cowling, Assistant Director of Accessible Communication and Media, at scowlin1@kent.edu or 330-672-3611

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