Captions, Interpreting, and Assistive Technology Team

The SAS Captions, Interpreting, and Assistive Technology Team is a group of highly-trained graduate student workers  who strive for the highest standards of equitable access to assistive technology and digital accessibility for students with accommodations. The team is led by Jordan Colbert, the Associate Director for Assistive Technology at SAS

Learn more about: CIA Team Members and Bios

Alternate Format Assistants

The Alternate Format Assistants (AFA) are responsible for the conversion of educational materials into specified electronic formats. They work to make sure any physical materials (handouts, textbooks, etc.) are available in accessible electronic formats. This includes obtaining electronic textbooks, separating them into chapters, and making sure they are able to be used in text-to-speech programs. Additionally, AFAs are also well-versed with various alternative format material conversions, such as BRF and Word doc, along with assistive technology applications that promote accessibility and literacy-related skill-building.

Assistive Technology Assistants

Assistive Technology Assistants (ATA) are graduate and professional students responsible for the implementation and training of new educational technologies for students with disabilities. The ATAs are knowledgeable about tools such as voice control/typing, notetaking, presentation technology, and organizational tools. Training sessions for assistive technologies are conducted daily for students with accommodation requirements, and much of the work the STARS Team does strives to maximize accessibility for every student’s technology needs.

Communication Access Assistants

Communication Access Assistants (CAA) are graduate and professional students that work with communication technologies such as captioned media and remote Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART). In collaboration with Yale’s ITS department, CAAs  provide microphone and captioning support for classroom accommodations related to sensory disabilities. CAAs also coordinate services for students utilizing in-person or remote American Sign Language interpreters and provide back-end support with videos located in Canvas courses.