Guidance for Instructors and Classroom Communities
Students with hearing loss may access classroom content through a specialized accessibility service known as Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), also commonly referred to as real-time captioning.
CART provides verbatim, real-time text of everything spoken in the classroom, by instructors and students alike, using a shorthand machine similar to the technology used for live television captioning. The student reads the text on a computer at the same pace it is spoken, often exceeding 200 words per minute, enabling full and equitable participation in class.
Why Setup Time and Punctuality Matter
Important information is frequently shared in the first few minutes of class. For this reason, allowing time for CART setup is essential to ensure nothing is missed. Beginning and ending class on time is also important, not only out of courtesy to students in subsequent classes, but so the CART captioner can safely pack up and arrive punctually at their next assignment.
We appreciate your support in helping create an inclusive learning environment.
Privacy, Confidentiality, and Transcripts
Classmates often express interest in CART technology and may ask about access to transcripts. While well-intentioned, these requests can place unnecessary pressure on the student using the service.
A brief statement from the instructor is usually sufficient to resolve this, such as:
“This service is being provided for communication access for one of your classmates. By contract with SFU, transcripts are not available.”
For privacy reasons, please do not identify the student or reference their disability.
All CART captioners at Accurate Realtime Inc. adhere to strict professional and confidentiality standards. Students understand that:
- Transcripts are for their exclusive use
- Transcripts are never shared
- Transcripts are securely destroyed at the end of the semester
CART services are provided only when the intended recipient is present. If a student is absent without notice, the captioner will wait:
- 15 minutes for a 60-minute class
- 30 minutes for longer classes
After that time, the captioner will quietly leave.
To help us stay informed, please add ad***@**************me.com to your class contact list so we receive notifications of cancellations or schedule changes.
Professional Standards You Can Trust
Accurate Realtime Inc.’s CART captioners follow established professional protocols and are committed to:
- Accuracy
- Neutrality
- Confidentiality
- Accessibility best practices
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at any time.
Best regards,
Catherine R. Siegler, RPR, CRR, CCP
President, Accurate Realtime Inc.
Tips for Effective Communication Access in the Classroom
CART is designed to recreate, as closely as possible, the experience of a hearing person. Captioners write not only spoken content but, when time permits, relevant environmental cues, such as:
[door slams] · [whispering] · [lawnmower outside]
The following best practices enhance communication access for everyone:
Classroom Communication Tips
- Speak at a moderate pace. Be mindful that people tend to speed up when reading aloud.
- Be aware of your position. Students close to you may lower their voices, making comments difficult to hear for others.
- Allow extra response time. There is a brief delay between speech, captioning, and cognitive processing for the student.
- Maintain visual access. Keep hands away from your face, avoid standing in front of bright windows, and maintain a clear line of sight.
- Reduce background noise. Open doors, side conversations, rustling bags, and hallway noise affect comprehension for everyone.
- Address the student directly. The CART captioner functions only as the student’s “ears.”
- Do not ask the captioner to omit content. If others hear it, the student should too—even in jest.
- Write technical terms and proper names on the board to ensure accuracy.
- For classes under 50 students, please email a confidential list of student names to ad***@**************me.com. This helps with speaker identification and familiarity.
- Ensure videos are captioned. While platforms like YouTube offer built-in captions, uncaptioned videos are inaccessible. Alternatives include providing transcripts or scheduling separate viewing.
- Recognize listening fatigue. Sustained effort to hear and process information is tiring.
- Schedule health breaks. CART captioners require breaks every 90 minutes to maintain quality and prevent repetitive-strain injuries.
We Value Your Feedback
This guide was prepared by Accurate Realtime Inc.
Did we miss something? We welcome your feedback and suggestions as we continue improving communication access in education.