KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 2, 2018

New system improves access to courses for deaf and hearing impaired

Following a yearlong effort to increase course access to deaf and hearing-impaired students, Kennesaw State University today received Campus Technology Magazine’s Impact Award in IT Infrastructure and Systems. The award is given annually to an institution that has made an extraordinary impact with technology on campus.
 
Kennesaw State’s Distance Learning Center and University Information Technology Services (UITS) were recognized for developing a simpler, more cost-effective closed captioning solution for faculty who upload videos and audio files for online learners. Through an existing partnership with video platform Kaltura Media Space and Ceilo24, a captioning software, faculty can now quickly create, edit and share videos in from single location. The program, which officially launched in 2017, has since been implemented at more than 30 institutions within the University System of Georgia.
 
“Interest in online programs has grown exponentially in recent years, and it has been important for us at Kennesaw State to be cognizant of ways we can ensure all of our students have the same level of access to online material,” said Jim Cope, recently retired executive director of the Distance Learning Center. “Using our new integrated system, creating high quality closed captioning for deaf and hearing-impaired students has never been easier. I applaud my staff, UITS and our vendors for working diligently to advance our mission.”
 
Kennesaw State was selected for the Impact Award by a panel of higher education technology leaders who judged submissions based on uniqueness and impact, with a focus on how projects are making a difference both to the institution and higher education in general. The project will be featured in Campus Technology’s digital magazine.
 
“It is an honor to be recognized for these efforts,” said Tamara Powell, interim executive director of Technology Enhanced Learning. “I applaud our Academic Web Accessibility team, Jordan Cameron and Megan Gibbs.”

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.