To help ensure students receive their textbooks on time instructors can:

Submit textbook adoptions as soon as possible

it can take four to six weeks to produce a textbook. If we are able to obtain the book quickly, the student is able to keep up with the class

Post the course outline, with chapters, as soon as possible

We use the course outline to prioritize the order in which we work on transcription.  

Contact us if you are putting material on reserve

We can proactively obtain a copy in an accessible format to share through ACE

Submit any tests and exams you require conversion services with as soon as possible

We work with the test and exams section of SAS in the production of braille tests. To ensure the highest quality exams, please submit your requests to Student Accessibility Services by the due date given.

Who benefits from captions?

• an individual who has difficulty hearing the audio
• an individual who is not able to listen to the audio due to their surroundings (they are in an environment where noise is not permitted)
• an individual who is learning the language they are listening to
• an individual who learns by processing information in multiple formats
• an individual who has a learning disability
• an individual who is looking to spell difficult terminology

There are many benefits to captioning videos

McMaster Captioning Standard:

Captions can be obtained for any video used in a McMaster class by using the link on the right toolbar to the McMaster Captioning Request Form.

Providing Described Video Accommodations

Described Video accommodations are provided for students registered with SAS.  For those students please submit your Described Video request through the captioning request form or through captioning@mcmaster.ca

When to request

Any video that has static content or little contextual visual information likely does not need Described Video, e.g. A video focused on a single individual who is speaking. 

If your video contains visual content that is not reflected in the dialogue then your video will need Described Video. E.g. A video with two individuals having a conversation at a café, where the context is relevant to the story. 

If you are unsure, please contact the office.

Creating Described Video

If you would like to create your own Described Video, please feel free to consult the Described Video Best Practice document above.  It contains lots of great information on scripting and recording.  Here is a brief summary.

1. You will need to review the video and plan out the duration and timing of the breaks in audio are.  It is not good practice to record over existing music or sound effects. 
2. Using this information script brief descriptions of the non-verbal information, ensuring that you are not providing any information prior to when it has happened on screen.
3. Using an audio recording device, or visit the Lyons sound recording studio, record your descriptions
4. Add your soundtrack to the existing video.  You can use Windows Media Player to do this. 
5. After checking your content, you are finished!

Creating Integrated Described Video

If you would like to include descriptions of the environment into your script prior this is the most inclusive format, please feel free to consult the Integrated Described Video Best Practice Document above.  It contains lots of useful information on how to include the descriptions into your script.  Here are some tips:

• When writing your script ensure any relevant actions, settings and images are part of the audio.

For example, instead of: 

Christine: Good morning

Amanda: Good morning

(muffled sounds)

Try:

Christine: Good morning Amanda, would you like to come into my office and have a seat?

Amanda: Thank you!

• Review your script and video often to ensure all content is reflected in the script. 
• If you are unable to add the content into the script try adding it in as a narration. 
• If that is not possible try to leave as much space between dialogue for the addition of DV.