Captioning Services FAQs

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Real-Time Remote Captioning

What equipment is needed?

Laptop, internet connection – a wired connection is preferable to a wireless for best connectivity, USB external microphone (AMAC has tested the following microphones: Blue Snowflake Portable Microphone Revolvo xTAG USB Wireless Microphone).


What does real-time mean?

An event or class is occurring at the same time as the captioning and at the same speed.


What are the costs?

AMAC is a non-profit organization; the prices for our services are based on your organization’s membership level, and is set to provide cost-savings to our members. Since AMAC’s real-time captioning and CART services are provided remotely, we never charge for travel time or mileage. Please contact AMAC for specific pricing.


Is remote real-time captioning a successful accommodation for all students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing?

No, the ability to benefit from real-time captioning requires sufficient reading ability. Although our captionists are trained to provide content using clear and understandable language, individual students may struggle with reading and comprehension. Students who were successful readers in secondary school usually thrive with the access captioning provides for them.


How is captioning different from sign language interpreting?

Deaf or hard-of-hearing people using captioning or CART must read the message in the form of text. Captioning is similar to sign language interpreting in the meaning that it conveys, although the message is text rather than signs.


Who is eligible to use these services?

AMAC provides services to members of AMAC. Once your organization is a member, captioning services are available for your students, clients, or employees. Arrangements should be made through Disability Services, Human Resources, or Professional Learning and Training offices.


How do students receive notes of classes that are captioned?

Within 24-hours after every class session, the notes are emailed to the student’s email account and/or to any other party the Disability Service Provider designates.


Video Captioning

What is AMAC’s turn-around time for adding captions to videos?

The average turn-around time is 7- 14 business days.


Is there a law that requires public videos to be captioned?

Yes, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 and Section 508 guidelines require accessibility. Videos available for viewing by people who access your website, courses, or trainings must be accessible. For people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, accessibility means access to the audio on videos and recordings. This is best provided by captioning.


Can I give students transcripts to make my audio recordings accessible?

Yes, transcripts are ideal for providing access to audio. AMAC provides transcription services to assist your accessibility needs. However, transcripts provided with video are not ideal- reading a transcript while watching a video at the same time makes it difficult to understand the message and see the visual information at the same time.


Are there standards that AMAC follows when adding captions to video?

Yes, AMAC follows the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) guidelines, the leading authority on captioning and for English grammar and usage AMAC follows the Associated Press Style Guide.