Access to Auditory Information

Teenage black girl sitting watching a tablet of a teacher on a virtual platform, captions "As you can see.."

The most significant barrier to virtual learning for students who are DHH is access to auditory information. For students that require accommodations to access auditory information (through an interpreter or Communication Access Realtime Translation i.e. CART), these services/supports can be incorporated into the virtual environment to meet federal and state mandates and in accordance with students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs). 

  • Visual supports for learning - Keep in mind the nature of virtual learning lends itself to heightened need to process print material. Many students, especially those with print-related and language-related disabilities, will find this increase in the need for reading to learn a monumental task. 
  • Captions - Planning for virtual instruction may include the need for quality captioned media. Where possible, make sure to utilize media professionally captioned to ensure auditory access. 
     
  • Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) is a federally-funded resource for quality captioned media. Teachers supporting students who are D/HH can sign up for a free account and assign media to students. 
     
  • RMTC-DHH has developed resources related to the development and use of captioned media. You can find them on the RMTC-DHH Captioning webpage. This webpage includes information on auto-generated captions, including why this may not be an appropriate support for equitable access to language, as well as resources for developing your own captioned media. 
  • Auto-generated captions are available to incorporate in your delivery of instruction through several different providers: Google Slides, Powerpoint, and Web Captioner.  While these don’t replace the need for human-generated captioning, such as would be listed as an accommodation on an IEP, they do serve as a great way to promote accessibility in a virtual manner to students who are D/HH that may benefit from having captioning during a presentation or group discussion. To learn more about this option see the flyer Auto-Generated Captions in the Classroom to support in setting up auto-generated captions on your device.
  • There are options for professionally-generated CART providers. You can search by state and region using StenoSearch. The National Association of the Deaf has an information page where visitors can learn more about the legal and practical implications of using CART providers. You can also reach out to RMTC-DHH for information on agencies used in Florida.
  • Interpreters - CART may not be equitably accessible for many students due to the pace and text complexity often found in content area instruction. It may be necessary for a student to access auditory information through an interpreter instead of, or in addition to, the use of CART services. In these situations, video remote interpreting (VRI) may be a suitable alternative. Like professionally-generated CART services, VRI services are available at a cost. Districts may be able to provide VRI using district employees through the use of virtual conferencing. Again, it is important for planning teams to consider the computer’s frame rate, bandwidth, and video strength to ensure the video of ASL is smooth and clear. These variables apply to both the district employee’s computer and home internet as well as the student’s computer and home internet.  

RMTC-DHH has compiled a list of VRI and CART providers in the event districts need to provide this service. This list is not exhaustive, nor does it constitute endorsement of any particular business or service by RMTC-DHH or the FLDOE. It is intended to help districts find appropriate services for students in the event face-to-face instruction or interpreting is not available.