Equal access to communication is essential for full participation in university life. This page outlines the resources and services available to support effective communication for disabled students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
Guides, information and resources about accessible communications
Primary Partners
Trainings
- Publications and Written Materials
- Telephone Communication
- Press and Public Information
- Communication Accommodations
FAQs
When hosting a Zoom event, can Zoom captions be used as an accommodation?
No, enabling Zoom captions is not sufficient if captioning is requested as a reasonable accommodation for a disability. Captioning for accessibility must be at least 98% accurate, which Zoom's automated captions do not guarantee.
Do we need to include information about accessible accommodations in our event announcement?
Yes. Our Planning Accessible Events webpage includes a section on Promotional Materials, which outlines university policy on accessibility statements for both virtual and in-person events.
How do I request communication accommodations for an event I’m attending?
You should contact the event organizer to request any accommodations that they haven’t already advertised they are offering.
How can a student request captioning as an academic accommodation?
If a student is enrolled in a course at UC Berkeley and requires captioning as a reasonable academic accommodation, they should submit their request through their Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) specialist.
What is the difference between CART and Captioning?
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is a live, real-time translation displayed on a separate screen or device and is most often used for live events like classes, presentations, conferences, and theater performances.
Captions provide a text version of audio and may be projected onto a public screen or transmitted to individual mobile devices.
Do I, or my department, have to pay for communication accommodations?
It depends. There is a small DAC fund available that pays for communication accommodations in certain circumstances. Once you complete the request for communication accommodation form, the answers to the questions will determine who will cover the cost. If you have further questions, please ask during the process.
Who do I contact for more information?
You can email access@berkeley.edu or complete our online form for more information.