Captioned Media Policy

Purpose

To ensure compliance with State and Federal Legislation requiring captioned media.

Definitions

Captioning

Captioning is defined by the National Association of the Deaf as the process of converting the audio content of a television broadcast, webcast, film, video, CD-ROM, DVD, live event, or other productions into text and displaying the text on a screen, monitor, or other visual display system.  Captions not only display words as the textual equivalent of spoken dialogue or narration, but they also include speaker identification, sound effects, and music description. 

Closed Captions

Captions that are visible only when selected and activated, such as on a television.

Open Captions

Permanently embedded in the audiovisual material.

Policy

After January 1, 2019, faculty/divisions/departments must ensure that all new media (video) purchased or created is accurately captioned. Existing media (video) used in courses and on college websites and portals and in college libraries must be reviewed. All media used by Minnesota State Community and Technical College must comply with State and Federal Legislation by January 1, 2020 or must no longer be used. Resources and methods for captioning media are outlined in the Minnesota State Community and Technical College Captioning Media Procedure.

Captioned materials can be identified by the letters “CC” or a small television-like icon, but should be verified for captioning accuracy:

References

Minnesota Human Rights Act; Minn. Stat. 363A.13, subd.1

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Sections 504 and 508: Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2009: Americans with Disabilities Act 2009

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004: Assistive Technology Act