Assistive Technologies
Students with disabilities are entering the college classroom in increasing numbers. Legal mandates now require that these students be provided assistive technologies to enable them to meet class requirements. Media Services has only limited capabilities to provide services such as closed captioning or audio described video for visually impaired students. However we can provide information and recommend outside agencies you may contact for assistance in that regard. You may also contact CAAR (Center for Access-Ability Resources) at 815-753-1303 for student assistance with test-taking, interpreters, etc.
Call Jay Orbik, Director at 815-753-6670 for inquiries or contact referrals relating to assistive technologies.
Closed and Open Captioning for Video
Paragraph 1194.24 (c) - Video and multimedia products (Closed Captioning) of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act states:
"All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned."
Media Services does not currently have the technology or staff to provide this service in-house. We can arrange for an outside agency to provide this service for approximately 15-20 dollars per minute. Call Jay Orbik, Director at 815-753-6670 for details.
Audio Described Video
Paragraph 1194.24 (d) - Video and multimedia products (Closed Captioning) of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act states:
"All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be audio described."
Media Services does not currently have the technology or staff to provide this service in-house. Nor have we any knowledge of an outside agency available to provide this service at a reasonable cost. We are investigating options for obtaining this service. Call Jay Orbik, Director at 815-753-6670 for information or recommendations.
Helpful Links
National Center for Accessible Media
Descriptive Video Service, a service of WGBH- Boston
See an example of Audio Described Video at Descriptive Services
Assistive Technologies for Web and Web Media
It is possible to open caption streaming or other digital media using techniques such as SMIL (Synchronized Interactive Multimedia Language) or using tools native to Quick Time. It is also possible to do this with a free program called MAGpie (Media Access Generator). This process still requires someone to transcribe the narrative portion of the audio into a text document which is then synchronized to display in the media player.
Media Services does not provide this production service, but the Multimedia Coordinator
Assistive Technologies in the classroom for Hearing Impaired
All new televisions and monitors come with close caption decoders. Media Services has installed close caption decoders in most of the new smart classroom projectors under the Provost's Smart Classroom Initiative. We are also retrofitting older projectors as funding becomes available.
Several Auditoriums and facilities have been fitted with audio assistive technologies. They are: Holmes Student Center, Wirtz Auditorium, and Caven Auditorium.
Persons needing hearing assistive devices can contact:
Guest Room Desk at 815-753-1444 for the Holmes Student Center
Mark Misic at 815-753-6368 for Wirtz Hall Auditorium
Media Services at 815-753-6677 for Caven Auditorium
Key Legal Documents
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act