Case Study

University of California, Santa Barbara

UCSB connected with Verbit to develop a streamlined accessibility solution for its audio and video content.

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In. a Nutshell

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is consistently ranked among the best public colleges in the U.S., earning its distinction as a Public Ivy. The university had been working with a transcription and captioning vendor to provide students with access to their abundant audio and video content. However, manual processes, slow turnaround time and high costs spurred the search for a solution upgrade.

The Challenge

UCSB prioritizes success for all students, regardless of ability or disability, learning style preference, or mastery of the language of instruction. They were looking to find a solution that would enhance academic results, maintain compliance with regulations like the ADA and enable a move towards Universal Design for course content.

They needed to eliminate:

  • Inefficient, manual processes
  • Slow delivery speed
  • High operating costs

The Solution

To help UCSB optimize its transcription and captioning operations, Verbit provided an innovative three-step transcription method consisting of an initial machine learning pass and two levels of human supervision.

This provided UCSB with:

  • Intuitive Interface: Total visibility into the transcription and captioning process
  • Greater Efficiency: Customized integration with the Panopto video streaming platform
  • Accelerated Speed: Automating the majority of the process reduced turnaround time
  • Higher Accuracy: Technology is pre-trained with specific terms related to the course material
  • Reduced Costs: Less money spent without compromising on speed or quality

The Results

Faster Turnaround Time

Automating the majority of the transcription and captioning process ensured speedy service.

“We usually receive our completed files from Verbit in less than 24 hours, which is critical for our students who rely on these materials to succeed in their classes.”

Near-Perfect Accuracy

A combination of automated speech recognition technology and top human transcribers delivered unparalleled quality.

“Verbit consistently maintained a high level of precision, even for files that contained complex subject matter or heavily accented speakers.”

Streamlined Workflow

Seamless integration with UCSB’s video streaming partner, Panopto, ensured a smooth overall process.

“The solution allows us to upload or download files in a single step, meaning we don’t need to devote excessive time or resources towards managing the captioning process.”

Lower Price

More automation and a competitive cost structure allowed UCSB to lower its total cost of operation for transcription and captioning services.

“We get the accuracy and turnaround time we need without extending our budget or compromising on our requirements. It’s a win-win.”