Not everyone can see the chamber screen, and not everyone wants the same language or text size. The SentraCaptions phone page lets residents read live captions on their own phone, in their language, by scanning a QR code.
How it works for residents
From the resident's side, it takes a few seconds:
- Scan the QR code on the chamber screen, the agenda or a sign.
- The phone page opens in the phone's browser. There is no app to install and no sign-in.
- Pick a language from the ones offered for that meeting.
- Adjust the text size and read along.
Captions appear about one second after speech, and the sentence in progress updates live. Like every SentraCaptions screen, the phone page labels the captions as automatic and says they may contain errors.
When the meeting is paused for recess or closed session, the phone page shows "Paused," so residents know the meeting is on hold rather than that something broke.
Why phones help
Every language, without crowding the room
You can choose up to 8 translation languages per meeting, from 75 supported languages. The chamber screen can show one or more side by side, but showing many at once gets crowded. The phone page lets each resident pick their own language, so you can offer the full list without shrinking the text on the TV.
Their own text size
Residents with low vision, or anyone sitting far from the screen, can make the text as large as they need.
Wherever they are
The phone page works in the chamber, the lobby, an overflow room or at home. A resident watching the meeting video online can read captions in a language other than the one on YouTube Live, since YouTube shows only one caption language per stream.
Where to put the QR code
The chamber screen already shows a QR code. Add it in other places too:
- The agenda. Print it on the first page. If your body posts translated agendas under SB 707, include it there along with the instructions for joining by phone or internet.
- Your public meetings webpage. SB 707 asks eligible bodies to have a dedicated public meetings webpage linked from the home page. Explain the phone page there, with the link and the QR code.
- Signs. Place table tents or signs at the chamber entrance, the speaker card table and the lobby.
- Outreach materials. Flyers and social posts for meetings you are promoting to communities that don't traditionally participate.
If you run several rooms or meetings at once, each has its own screen and link, so make sure each room shows the right code.
How it supports language access
SB 707, signed October 3, 2025, asks eligible legislative bodies to reasonably assist members of the public who want to translate a meeting or receive interpretation, as long as it doesn't disrupt the meeting, and to make reasonable efforts to reach communities that don't traditionally participate. Most of the bill's new requirements start July 1, 2026.
SB 707 does not itself require live captions. A phone page that lets residents read the meeting in their own language, quietly and without disruption, is a practical way to support those goals. Check with your city attorney or county counsel on whether your body is covered and what the bill requires of you.
With CivicCA
If your agency uses CivicCA for agendas and meetings, captions show on the CivicCA dais display, the public portal and residents' phones. Captioning starts when the meeting starts and pauses for recess and closed session, so the phone page follows the meeting without extra steps.
Rolling it out
Tips for a smooth rollout
- Test with a few phones. Before your first meeting, scan the code with a couple of different phones and try each language.
- Have the chair announce it. A one-line mention at the start of the meeting and before public comment goes a long way.
- Translate the instructions. A short "Scan for live captions" line in each of your meeting languages, next to the QR code, helps residents who don't read English.
- Use your glossary. Add council members, streets, neighborhoods and program names so they are spelled right on every phone.
- Keep other accommodations in place. Automatic captions help many people. If a deaf resident requests CART as an accommodation, the agency should consider that request under the ADA.
What it costs
There are no per-viewer fees, so it doesn't matter how many residents scan the code. Pricing is based on hours of meetings and number of languages, and paused time isn't used. See the pricing page or contact us for a quote.