Closed Captions and Transcripts
An accommodation may require a student has access to closed captions for live and recorded content and transcripts of recorded audio.
Who is this for?
Hi, my name is Miriam. I have difficulty understanding videos and audio material when they don’t have captions and transcripts. When content doesn’t have a text equivalent, I miss out or have to wait until an accessible copy can be provided.
A closed captions and transcripts accommodations may be necessary to support equitable learning opportunities for learners:
- With a hearing impairment, that are hard of hearing, Deaf or Deafblind students.
- Who use text to speech and screen reader software to read transcripts aloud.
- Who benefit from a visual reinforcement of spoken content.
This accommodation supports students to:
- Equitably access audio content that would be missed due to hearing loss or other disability.
- Access or process information by providing written or visual equivalents to audio content.
- Access or process audio information through the use of amplification or other listening devices.
What it is
- Closed Captions
- Text version of audio content synchronously displayed on screen for pre-recorded video content.
- Transcripts of pre-recorded audio content.
What it’s not
- A barrier that prevents students from working with peers or in experiential settings.
- A change to course or program requirements.
- A service students are required to pay for.
How can I support this in my classroom?
To facilitate communications access accommodations, you may be asked to:
- Meet with students, captioners, transcribers, and accessibility services staff.
- Share materials (lectures, handouts, etc.) with service providers in advance to allow them to prepare by learning terminology, key terms, etc..
- Identify audio/visual material (videos, recorded lectures, podcasts, etc.) used in your course and verify they are accurately closed captioned or transcribed.
- Work collaboratively with students, service providers, and accessibility services offices.
Additional Notes
While essential for some, all viewers may benefit from closed captions. Studies show that captions increase comprehension, understanding, and focus[1] and that 80% of 18 to 25-year-olds regularly use captions when watching video.[2]
- Gernsbacher, "Video Captions Benefit Everyone" ↵
- Youngs, "Young viewers prefer TV subtitles, research suggests" ↵
