Maximize Your DECT Grant: Captioning and Transcription for California Community Colleges

May 12, 2025

Distance education is rapidly expanding within California Community Colleges (CCC) as more students are choosing to take online courses to fit their busy schedules. Ensuring equal access demands accessible course content, notably captioning and transcription, to comply with legal requirements and support student success. The Distance Education Captioning and Transcription (DECT) Grant provides vital funding to all 116 CCCs, specifically addressing these critical accessibility needs in the growing online learning environment.

Pre-Approved Vendor Status

Aberdeen Broadcast Services is a state-approved DECT Grant vendor, allowing California Community Colleges to contract with us directly. This is the most streamlined process for colleges, as it signifies that we are already vetted and have a strong understanding of the grant requirements, simplifying both service delivery and billing.

Please visit the CCC DECT Grant website for official grant information and a list of approved vendors.

What's Covered by the DECT Grant?

The DECT Grant funds services that transcribe spoken content to ensure the accessibility of aural information. The scope of funding primarily includes:

Live Captioning: Real-time transcription of the spoken word for synchronous online classes through Zoom or similar platforms. These services are also ideal for internal meetings, faculty-led sessions, and campus-wide events where accessibility is essential.
Post-Production Captioning: Synchronization of text with audio or video for prerecorded content used in asynchronous learning, such as YouTube videos. This is used for course content that will not be viewed live.
Transcription: Providing text versions of audio content. Ideal for students to review the transcript of the spoken content after it’s been viewed.
Audio Description: Funding may also be available for Audio Description if the college is striving for WCAG 2.0 AA compliance.

Funding is available for accessibility services across various eligible course types and content:

Distance Education (Online, Hybrid, Synchronous, Asynchronous).
Credit and Non-Credit classes that generate apportionment.
On-campus classes utilizing distance methods of content delivery (e.g., class capture, web conferencing, LMS content).

(Note: Specific rules apply to which videos qualify; consult the official grant website for full details. Community services/continuing education material is not covered.)

Accessing DECT Grant Funds

Requests for captioning services are typically made by college staff, often faculty who need their course materials captioned, or individuals in departments such as the Disabled Students Program or Accessibility Services.

Partnering with a pre-approved vendor can simplify the process of identifying needs and estimating costs. Simply fill out this request form, and we’ll help you get started!

Why Utilizing the DECT Grant Matters

Leveraging the DECT grant is crucial for California Community Colleges because it directly contributes to key institutional goals:

Ensuring Student Access: Provides necessary accommodation for students with disabilities, particularly those who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring equitable access to educational content.
Supporting Faculty Innovation: Empowers faculty to effectively use media-rich content in their courses without accessibility being a barrier.
Meeting Legal Requirements: Helps colleges comply with federal and state accessibility laws and regulations.
Advancing Technology Use: Supports the effective integration of technology in teaching and learning by making digital content accessible.

We’re here to help!

The DECT grant is a valuable resource designed to help California Community Colleges make their distance education offerings fully accessible and inclusive. Leveraging this funding is essential for supporting all students and advancing digital learning.

We encourage your college to take full advantage of this opportunity. Let’s work together to make sure your students have the access they deserve!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DECT Grant and who can use it?

The Distance Education Captioning and Transcription (DECT) Grant provides funding to all 116 California Community Colleges to cover captioning and transcription services for distance education content, helping ensure equal access to online course materials for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

What types of services does the DECT Grant cover?

The DECT Grant covers live captioning for real-time online classes, post-production captioning for prerecorded content like YouTube videos, and transcription providing text versions of audio content. Funding may also be available for Audio Description if a college is working toward WCAG 2.0 AA compliance.

How do California Community Colleges request DECT Grant captioning services?

Requests are typically made by college staff, often faculty needing course materials captioned or staff in departments like the Disabled Students Program or Accessibility Services. Working with a pre-approved vendor like Aberdeen Broadcast Services can simplify identifying needs and estimating costs through a direct contracting process.