Guide to Obtaining Sign Language Interpreting, Real-Time Captioning, Transcription, Media Captioning or Audio Descriptions

Download Guide to Obtaining Sign Language Interpreting, Captioning, Transcription, Media Captioning or Audio Descriptions 11.28.2022

(Last updated: November 28, 2022)

Introduction

This guide provides information on how to obtain sign language interpreting, real-time/live captioning (CART), or media (video) captioning for your event.

Beginning 7/1/22, disability-related accommodations for sign language interpreting and CART services provided for UW–Madison units through the McBurney Disability Resource Center will now be centrally funded by the university. This includes accommodation requests for these services from students, staff, faculty, and visitors/guests.

If these services are provided proactively without a specific accommodation request, they will be billed to the respective department.

Sign Language Interpreting

Professional sign language interpreters can be hired in the following ways:

• 1. Email the McBurney Disability Resource Center Communication Access Team. The McBurney Center can coordinate sign language interpreting services for in-person (onsite) or virtual events, presentations, and disability-related accommodations when UW–Madison is the primary sponsor or host.
  2. Contact one of the university’s approved vendors for sign language interpreting.
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For more information about sign language interpreting, review this Professional Sign Language Interpreting guide from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Professional Real-Time/Live Captioning (CART)

Professional CART captioners can be hired in the following ways:

• 1. Email the McBurney Disability Resource Center Communication Access Team. The McBurney Center can coordinate CART for in-person (onsite) or virtual events, presentations, and disability-related accommodations when UW Madison is the primary sponsor or host.
  2. Contact one of the university’s approved vendors for real-time captioning.

For tips on hiring captioners, review this guide through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Transcription, Media Captioning, and Audio Descriptions

• UW–Madison has the following business services contract with approved vendors for transcripts, media captioning, and audio descriptions.
• View this Accessibility and Usability KnowledgeBase guide for price comparison.
• Costs for these services are covered by the hosting unit.