Disability Resource Center

Working With Real-Time Captioners

CART stands for Communication Access Real-Time Transcription. Real-Time Captioners (also known as CART captioners) are professionals who use a stenographer's device to input everything that is spoken during live classes. Verbal information is displayed as text for the student to read on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

How to Work Effectively With CART Captioners in the Classroom

  • Successful captioning requires the captioner to be able to hear, understand, and keep pace with the speaker. Speak clearly at your normal rate, but be open to slowing down a little if asked.
  • Avoid speaking directly to the captioner or asking them questions during class time. Captioners cannot talk and transcribe at the same time.
  • Please give copies of the syllabus and handouts to the captioner. 
  • Captioners will be added to your Canvas course as DRC Service Providers. This allows them to smoothly get basic course information and updates as needed, which improves the service they provide.
  • Captioners cannot provide real-time captioning for video content. All video content must be accurately captioned before it is shown in class. Requiring a student to look back and forth between the video and a separate screen with the captions means missing visual cues and it is not an equitable experience.

 

Accessible Media about this content

Where Will The CART Captioner Be Located?

  • For in-person courses, the captioner will find a location in the classroom near the student and a power outlet.
    • If needed, furniture labeled as belonging to the DRC may be placed in the classroom for the captioner to use. No one else should use this furniture during your class.
  • For remote synchronous courses, the captioner will need to have access to join the synchronous meeting. Do not use the Zoom setting “Authenticated Users Only” for your course meetings, as service providers may be unable to join. Instead, if you are concerned about security, try requiring a passcode that can be shared to all attendees.
    • Keep the Zoom chat available. If the student or captioner has urgent questions or technology issues during class, this may be the best way to reach you.
       

 

Captioners Should Not Be Asked To...

  • Add or delete information
  • Explain, define, or repeat information
  • Take responsibility for the student's absences
  • Provide service during tests (unless requested in advance)
  • Participate in class discussions or activities
  • Advise people on the subject of hearing loss or being Deaf
  • Talk about their profession during class
  • Replace peer note takers. Note takers and captioners capture information in different formats. If you have been contacted to make an announcement about peer note taking for the same student, please do so. 

Washington State's DO-IT program has developed an excellent video regarding CART services that can be found below. Note that things may be done a bit differently at PSU.
 

DO-IT Video About Benefits of CART in Class

If you have questions about the information on this page, please contact the Disability Resource Center.

Access Services Coordinator
For Interpreting and Captioning
Email: drcterp@pdx.edu
Phone: 503-725-6504

Check our home page for our hours and contact information.