What is CART?
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is a service that provides real-time captioning of spoken words and sounds. This service is particularly beneficial for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring they have equal access to educational content.
How Does CART Work?
A trained CART provider uses specialized equipment and software to transcribe spoken language into text instantly. This text is then displayed on a screen, which can be a personal device like a laptop or tablet, or a larger screen for the entire classroom.
Benefits of CART Services
- Accessibility: CART services ensure that students who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate in lectures and discussions.
- Inclusivity: By integrating CART services, universities demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and equal access to education for all students.
- Enhanced Learning: CART services also benefit students for whom English is a second language or those who prefer visual learning styles, enhancing their comprehension and retention.
Important Considerations for Faculty
- Prior to the beginning of a semester, if a student has a CART accommodation, the faculty member will receive an email with instructions regarding adding the DRC to their course Blackboard account. To ensure access, please follow the directions.
- To connect to CART, the preferred method is for the professor to provide a direct connection to Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. A second method is for the student to give the faculty a DRC microphone to wear and then connect with the CART provider on Skype.
To learn more about CART, please watch the video.