# Vendors & Service Providers

**Source**: https://accessibility.harvard.edu/vendors
**Parent**: https://accessibility.harvard.edu

Harvard University explores requests for reasonable accommodations from individuals with disabilities. We encourage you build accessibility in on the front-end, in both practice and budget planning, as you would catering, AV or other event needs.

Please find below a listing of vendors that may be useful in your office’s exploration of an individual’s reasonable accommodation request.

Note that it is the responsibility of each individual school, department or event sponsor to be responsive to all requests as well as to cover the cost of accommodations provided to an individual/general audience at their event or program. No cost is passed onto the requesting individual and cost should not be a factor when exploring accommodation.

For further questions or consultation during this process, our office may be reached at [disabilityresources@harvard.edu](mailto:///disabilityresources@harvard.edu).

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### American Sign Language (ASL)

In order to streamline the process to request services, the following referral agencies can respond to interpreter and CART requests for Harvard affiliates and guests who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing. The two agencies identified below offer remote services for ASL or CART. Remote may be a helpful option to consider for the implementation of last minute requests.

UDR has a model contract available for university partners who are hiring effective communication service providers.  Please contact our office to obtain this information or if additional assistance is needed to explore these resources.

### Hands in Motion

- [Hands in Motion](https://www.himservice.com/): Hands in Motion's (HIM) mission is: “The sky’s the limit when it comes to providing equal access to the world”. HIM aims to act as an extension of their clients and provide the most complete and accurate interpretation possible. HIM strives to provide the highest quality job performance and exemplary customer service to their clients. In person or remote ASL or CART services can be requested by contacting [info@himservice.com](mailto:info@himservice.com) or 877-310-8389.

### SignGlasses

- [SignGlasses](https://www.signglasses.com/): SignGlasses' mission is to empower humanity with the ability to communicate and forge connections seamlessly, transcending barriers of accessibility wherever and whenever needed. Remote ASL interpreters and captioners can be requested through your school or unit's [Local Disability Coordinator](https://accessibility.harvard.edu/student-coordinators) or by contacting [disabilityresources@harvard.edu](mailto:disabilityresources@harvard.edu).

### Harvard

UDR is pleased to offer two in-house ASL interpreters to facilitate communication and accessibility for the Harvard community. Harvard affiliates seeking ASL interpreting services can conveniently [request them through this link](https://accessibility.harvard.edu/request-asl-interpreting).

These services are available exclusively for events and activities on Harvard’s Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood campuses, ensuring comprehensive support and inclusion across the university.

### Audio Description

Audio description, sometimes called "video description," is an additional narration track for visual media (e.g. television, film, dance, opera, visual art) that provides context, clarifies speakers, and articulates visual elements for people who are unable to access the visual content.

- [Digital Accessibility Services](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/) offers additional information on audio description for videos.
- 3Play Media can create audio description for videos for a fee.

### Braille

While Harvard does not have a preferred vendor for Braille services, any of the three vendors below listed below can create braille materials such as programs, brochures, or business cards:

- [National Braille Press – Downtown Boston](http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/business/request_begin.html)
- [The Alternative Media Access Center (part of Georgia Tech)](https://www.amacusg.gatech.edu/braille-quote.php)
- [Access-USA in New York](http://www.access-usa.com/Services/Braille_1.htm)

UDR is happy to consult if you have questions.

### Captioning (Video/Post Production)

Captions convert audio dialogue and sounds into text. They can be synchronized with audio in a video, or added in real time (see Live Captioning below).

- [Digital Accessibility Services](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/) provides additional information on captions for pre-recorded videos.
- [3Play Media](https://go.3playmedia.com/custom-harvard) is Harvard's preferred vendor for video and post-production captions.
- [Rev](https://www.rev.com/services) also provides video and post-production captions.

### Captioning (Live) and CART

Live captioning or Communication Assistance Realtime Translation (CART) may be provided at a live event and is displayed as lines of text on a personal device or across a video screen and/or via the event livestream. Live captioning should be provided for any school-wide events or other larger events that are advertised and expected to generate substantial audiences, and for which video and/or audio are live-streamed over the Internet. Live captioning must also be provided when appropriate as an accommodation.

- Learn more about captioning by visiting UDR's [Effective Communication](https://accessibility.harvard.edu/effective-communication) section.
- VITAC is Harvard’s preferred vendor for professional live captioning. Learn more about [pricing and getting started with VITAC](https://internal.accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/harvard-pricing-captioning-vendors) (HarvardKey required). There is a fee for this service.

### Equipment Loan & Rental

### Equipment Loan

Our office has two wheelchairs available for loan to the Harvard Community. Additional equipment and software may be available for loan through the [Assistive Technology Lending Lab](https://ess.fas.harvard.edu/assistive-technology-center/assistive-technology-center/).

Harvard Art Museums, HMNH, and the Harvard Information Center also have wheelchairs available for visitor use on-site, on a first-come first-served basis.

### Equipment Rental

There are a number of equipment rental companies in the local area. Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and other equipment may be rented from local vendors that provide short term loans for a cost.

[Belmont Medical Supply](http://www.belmontmedical.com/)\
185 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA 02478\
617-484-3888

[Boston Orthopedic & Respiratory Equipment](http://www.bostonorthoresp.com/)\
175 Main Street, Charlestown, MA\
617-337-5133 or (800) 854-6370