Communication Services
CDHP is committed to ensuring that D/deaf and hard-of-hearing students can participate in all programs, services, and activities offered through WesternU. CDHP’s communication services include access to sign language interpreters, remote real-time captioning, personal amplification systems, and captioned media services.
Communication Accommodations
CDHP provides the following communication accommodation services:
Sign language interpreters provide translation services to students requiring this accommodation to ensure that effective communication takes place. Interpreters are communication mediators and facilitate integration of the student into the classroom environment. The shape, placement, movement of the hands, facial expressions, and body movements all play important parts in conveying information. Sign language is widely used in classrooms, discussion sections, labs, meetings, seminars, clinicals, orientations, and other campus activities. Students approved for sign language interpreters as an accommodation should review CDHP’s Sign Language Interpreter Procedures for Students who are D/deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), referred to as Realtime Captioning, is the instantaneous transcription of the spoken word into text. This text can be viewed on a mobile device, computer, tablet, or large screen. CART is widely used in classrooms, labs, seminars, orientations, and other campus activities. Students approved for CART as an accommodation should review CDHP’s Remote Real-time Captioning Procedures for Students who are D/deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.
SignGlasses: Live Remote Sign Language Interpretation & CART Captioning
SignGlasses is an advanced accessibility platform designed to support students approved for remote Sign Language or Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) accommodations. The system integrates a web-based platform, mobile application, and smart glasses to deliver live interpreting and captioning directly within the user’s line of sight, minimizing the need to look away from instructional materials. The platform ensures continuous access across a variety of learning environments, including classrooms, clinical settings, and online sessions. As part of this system, the smart glasses are available for checkout through CDHP’s Assistive Technology Lending Library. Students assigned SignGlasses are encouraged to view the SignGlasses: Navigating the Platform video for guidance on proper use. A signed CDHP Student Loan Agreement is required for those borrowing the smart glasses.
White Coat Captioning
White Coat Captioning is the remote CART accommodation that is available as an accommodation for students approved for remote captioning services. A remote service that streams captions directly to students via stream text. Students who are approved for this accommodation have access to the White Coat Captioning Quick Start Guide which outlines how to access captions for their sessions, requesting services, ensuring optimal audio quality, requesting training and IT Tech Support. There is also the White Coat Captioning Faculty Reference Guide for faculty to better help understand their role in the remote caption accommodation.
Personal FM systems act as a conduit to reduce the speaker to listener distance so that to the user it sounds as though the speaker is within inches of the listener’s ear. This makes it much easier for the user to hear the speaker over background noise. FM systems work well when the user needs to listen to one speaker at a time. The speaker wears a body-pack transmitter and a clip-on microphone. The speaker’s voice is broadcast as an FM radio signal. Listeners use the pocket receiver and earphone or headphone to hear the speaker’s voice directly, with reduced background noise. Students approved for a personal FM system should watch the Intro to Williams FM Sound System tutorial to learn how to use it. Students approved for a Williams FM Sound system must sign a CDHP Student Loan Agreement.
The Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is an advanced auscultation device available to students through CDHP’s Assistive Technology Lending Library. Featuring up to 40x amplification at peak frequency and active noise cancellation, it enables clearer sound detection in both clinical and academic settings. The stethoscope allows users to toggle between analog and digital listening modes and includes tunable diaphragms for adult and pediatric use. It pairs with the Eko app to visualize, record, and save heart and lung sounds, and supports Bluetooth streaming to compatible devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. Students approved for a digital stethoscope accommodation using this model are encouraged to view the Learning the Littmann Digital Stethoscope video for proper use. A signed CDHP Student Loan Agreement is required for those borrowing the device.
To assist students who are approved for the Littmann Digital Stethoscope have access to the Littmann Stethoscope Quick Guide for reference on use as well as requesting training on use of the equipment and accompanying app and IT Tech Support.
Captioned media displays spoken words as text and includes speaker identifications, sound effects, and music descriptions. The audio content of a television clip, webcast, film clip, or short video is converted into text and displayed on a screen or monitor, also known as closed captions. While this accommodation is primarily used by those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, those with other disabilities, such as auditory processing disorders may also benefit. Please review CDHP’s Accessible Media Procedures.
For Information
For information about communication accommodations email: