Remote Captioning Policy
What is Remote Captioning?
Remote Captioning is a speech to text transcription system that provides real-time communication access to students who need alternative or additional support. Remote captioning can be either a word-for-word transcription that produces a transcript similar to in-classroom CART services of a classroom meeting or a meaning for meaning transcript depending on what type of equipment the service provider is using. (CART vs. C-Print)
How It Works
The student uses a wireless microphone, laptop and internet connection provided by Disability Support Services (DSS) to access a real-time transcription website. The instructor wears a lapel microphone. Five minutes prior to the beginning of class the remote captionist dials in. The student reads the transcript in real-time through the real-time transcription website.
Scheduling
It is suggested that you request Remote Captioning accommodations a minimum of four weeks prior to the start of each semester in order to facilitate arrangement of captioning by the first day of class. The number of students using captioning, and the location of classes, may necessitate the purchase of additional equipment which can take up to four weeks for delivery. DSS coordinates with the captioning company and the Information Technology Department. Each classroom is tested with the captioning equipment and each instructor receives information about using remote captioning. The captioning company arranges for a Captionist for each class. This is a time-consuming process, which is why we require students to request the accommodation at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. If you change your schedule before or after the start of the semester, notify DSS immediately to ensure continuity in Remote Captioning accommodations. DSS cannot guarantee that captioning equipment can be taken down, moved, and set up within ten minutes, so students need to take that into consideration when scheduling classes back-to-back.
We also request that you provide copies of your syllabi to DSS so that DSS can provide class materials to the Captionist.
Absences and Class Cancellations
When a student receives Remote Captioning accommodations, DSS expects the student to attend all classes throughout the semester. If you must miss a class, please give DSS 24 hours notice. It is understandable that, in some situations, you may not be able to provide 24 hours notice; however, failure to provide any notice is considered a “no show.” Three “no shows” can result in a temporary suspension of services until the student meets with the appropriate DSS staff person. Students who do not attend class will not receive transcripts for that class period.
Additionally, if you receive information about class cancellations, test days, or other issues related to attendance and for which you do not require Remote Captioning, please notify DSS immediately.
Technical Problems
When technical problems occur you should attempt to contact DSS immediately at 657-2283. We will try to resolve the issue quickly. There may be instances, however, when DSS will not be able to resolve the problem. A tape recorder will be kept with the captioning equipment so classes can be taped and transcribed. The captioning company and DSS do not warrant that the services will be error free or uninterrupted.
Student Responsibilities
You may not distribute Remote Captioning notes to other students under any circumstances. Remote captioning produces transcripts of the professor’s lecture and are therefore considered intellectual property. Students can email a copy of the transcript to themselves for use as a personal study tool.
Remote captionists transcribe, to the best of their ability, all spoken utterances in the classroom, including lecture and asides. The student is responsible for all information on the overhead, board, and/or handouts. This includes the spelling of vocabulary words. The captionist will provide summaries of films and readings when it is technically possible.
Please note: The external classroom microphone may not pick up every student’s question. If the Captionist cannot hear the question, it is the responsibility of the student to ask that the question be repeated.
Student conduct
We expect students who receive Remote Captioning accommodations to pay full attention during class. Please do not study, email, or engage in other such activities when receiving Remote Captioning accommodations.
EQUIPMENT USAGE
DSS will provide a laptop and wireless microphone for each class session. The equipment provided to you by DSS is property of Montana State University-Billings. You may use the equipment for Remote Captioning only.