Module 2 | Word | Media Overview

Accessible Audio and Video

Multimedia, with its dynamic combination of text, photos, animations, audio and video, adds richness to the learning experience. Yet multimedia can also pose challenges for individuals with hearing or visual impairments.

When it comes to using video and audio in the classroom multimedia should include both synchronized captions and a descriptive transcript to meet accessibility requirements. Captions provide access to the audio content when a user may not be able to listen to the audio portion of a video, but also benefits all learners such as multi-language learners or those who need to consume the video with the volume off. Captions and transcripts provide access to the audio content in these cases.

If your course contains video or audio media, it must be accompanied by accurate closed-captions and a transcript.

Captioning Tips

  • A caption file is separate from the video file. It is uploaded into the player as a caption or subtitle file attached to the video
  • If adding video to a Canvas course, upload it to another video service (such as YouTube or Panopto), and then link to it from your course
  • Consider adding black to the bottom of your video once you’re done editing to allow room for captions to display without covering any of the footage
  • Video captioning begins with the determination of copyright ownership. If you are not the copyright owner, contact the owner or publisher to request a captioned version of the material. If you are the copyright owner or have permission to reproduce the video, or if your use of the video would be considered “fair use,” you may caption the material yourself or hire a company to do the work for you

 

Transcript Tips

Transcripts allow anyone that cannot access content from web audio or video to read a text transcript instead.

  • Include a downloadable file of the transcript alongside the video (accessible Word or in a Canvas page)
  • Transcripts do not have to be verbatim accounts of the spoken word in a video. They should contain additional descriptions, explanations, or comments that may be beneficial, such as indications of laughter or an explosion

There are a variety of tools and resources to add closed captioning and transcripts to video and audio recordings. Please navigate to the next page to learn more about these tools.