Providing Closed Captions on Videos for Accessibility

Description

This article provides instructions on how to provide closed captions on videos lectures at Idaho State University (ISU).

Guide Navigation

Requesting assistance with closed captioning on videos

ISU Disability Services can provide assistance with adding closed captions to your class videos. To request video captions, complete the Caption Request Form. For additional information contact captioning@isu.edu or call 208-282-3599.

Improving auto-generated captions in Panopto

ISU Disability Services is available to assist with the improvement of auto-generated captions for videos hosted on ISUs Panopto video management system. However, if you would like to improve your own captions, the following Panopto resources may be helpful:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are closed captions on videos?

  • Captions are the text representation of words and other important audio information that are synced with a video. Closed captions can be turned on and off according to the viewer's preferences. Closed captions are indicated with a CC button below the video. They provide users with the most accessible experience with the textual equivalent of spoken dialogue or narration, but they can also include speaker identification, sound effects, and music description. Closed captions are added to a video as a separate text file and provide several options for the viewer such as adjusting the size and color of the text, turning the captions on and off, moving the captions to places on the screen, and searching the captions for key words. ISU Captioning Services uses this format for all of its captions with the exception of videos housed on Box.

What are open captions on videos?

  • Open captions are processed the same way as closed captions but they are "burned" into a video. This means that they cannot be turned off and on by the viewer. Video editing software such as Camtasia or Adobe Premiere can be use to overlay the captions onto the video so that it produces a single file. Open captions should only be used if a closed captioning option is not available. Videos processed in this format are usually clinical videos with HIPPAA restrictions that are hosted by ISU Box accounts. This is because Box is not a video player and therefore does provide the ability to add a closed caption file to a video.

Can I just provide a transcript of the video?

  • It depends on the type of file you are providing. Transcripts provide a textual translation of what is spoken in a video or audio file. They are different than captions because the text cannot be linked with the timing of the video which may result in a less than ideal experience. Transcripts can be used for podcasts or other content that only has audio. ISU Captioning Services can provide transcripts in an ADA format as needed.

Are Auto-Generated (AI) captions sufficient? 

  • Auto-generated (AI) captions can be found on YouTube, Panopto, and other video hosting services and are usually a built-in feature. Auto-generated cpations use Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) software to create closed captions on videos. While they can be a helpful staring point, auto-generated captions in most cases do not meet ADA standards. Videos with auto-generated captions should be checked for accuracy and improvements made.

What about videos hosted on Panopto?

  • ISUs Panopto video management sytem automatically processes videos and provides auto-generated captions after they are uploaded. However, the captions should be checked for accuracy and necessary improvements made.

What captioning quality is required for ADA, Section 508 compliance?

  • Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act (enacted in 1973) is an amendment that broadens the original act's application to include online video content. While this act generally only applies to federal agencies, many states have passed laws that also make Section 508 applicable to federally funded organizations, such as colleges, research facilities, and arts institutions. Quality standards for television captioning set the precedent for online video captioning that aims to improve accessibility. The quality standards for captioning online video include the following:

    • Accuracy: Captions must be 99% accurate when relaying the speaker's exact words, including correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, with no paraphrasing.
    • Synchronized: Captions must be time synchronized so they align with the words spoken in the video, and must remain visible long enough for the viewer to read (3 to 7 seconds per caption frame).
    • Completeness: Videos must include captions from beginning to end.
    • Styling and Placement: Font and size should be easy to read and the placement on the screen should no block important content.
    • Additional items such as sound and speaker identification, and transcription symbols are also important in captioning.

What about YouTube videos?

  • Disability Services uses the screen capture software, TechSmith ScreenCast to record the video while it is played from YouTube. The software uses AI to generate captions that Disability Services then improves for accuracy. The captioned video is hosted on ScreenCast and students who need the accommodation are sent a direct link to the video. 

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