An Introduction

What is it? It is a collaborative project, launched over a year ago, combining the resources of six programs under one, easy-to-use website, called “Sidekick,” which is found at Each program helps faculty and staff create engaging multimedia content that is accessible to all community college students. From tactile graphics to webcasting and closed captioning, its lineup of programs offer staff the tools needed to accomplish any multimedia project. Each of these programs are at least partially funded through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Why Sidekick? These programs were available before Sidekick came on the scene, but, despite their impressive array of services, were severely underutilized by California community college staff, faculty, and administrators. The Sidekick campaign was created to increase awareness of these programs in the hope that more community college staff would use them for the benefit of their students. Why is it called “Sidekick”? The idea is that faculty and staff who use these programs are education superheroes and these programs function as a sidekick to back them up, like Robin to Batman.

What are the programs?

CCC Confer provides high quality Web conferencing technology tools and lecture capture services to support students, faculty and staff in collaborative online environments. With this ADA-compliant resource, communication via the Internet or phone brings inspiring ideas together to ensure the continued success of the California Community Colleges system and our students.

3C Media Solutions is an educational media distribution network that enhances learning and student success by providing the most up-to- date and inspiring tools available. This resource can provide dynamic video content, podcasts, streaming services, captioning and event coverage.

The Distance Education Captioning and Transcription grant enables the California Community Colleges to enhance access and inspire learning for students utilizing distance education. The funding provided by this great resource supports captioning and transcription for online courses, hybrid courses, telecourses and even live classes that utilize web-based content delivery.

Get the tools you need to create an inspiring environment of access and success for all students. The High Tech Center Training Unit provides free year-round training to California community college faculty and staff in the use of technology to promote meaningful learning for students with disabilities.

Continuously evolving technology can be a challenge, makes it easy. This innovative program provides California community college faculty and staff tools for training and networking as well as online resources so you can learn how to use technology to inspire student learning and success.

The Alternate Text Production Center creates alternate media products for students who require print and electronic Braille, electronic text files, or tactile graphics. With our state-of-the-art technologies, we can provide timely delivery of the tools our students need to succeed.

Informational Videos (both Sidekick and the grant projects). Informational overviews (text). Campaign resources and promotional materials. Contact information for each grant project. A portal view / entry point into each program’s respective website. Keep checking back…..more to come!!! Be sure to check our website for more info and tools!