Web accessibility requires a transcript for all videos linked on the web page. Closed captions provide a transcript of any audio in a video within the video player. Unlike a transcript, the caption does not provide a description of the visual elements in the video. Captions are helpful by providing the audio information for those who need it without the need for opening/downloading an additional document.
Transcripts provide:
audio information for hearing impaired users (also helpful for non-native speakers and those with some learning disabilities)
narrative of the visual elements not already included in the audio transcript for visually impaired users
Closed captions provide:
audio information for hearing impaired users (also helpful for non-native speakers and those with some learning disabilities)
All videos must have captions and transcripts.
Captions are added in YouTube and are automatically included in the YouTube embed code.
Transcripts are linked after the embedded video player or video link.
It is highly recommended that the transcript is included in the video widget. This way, the transcript is always bundled with the video.
Transcripts should open in the same window, per accessibility link standards. Transcripts may be PDFs but it is highly recommended that they are web pages. We are investigating opening transcripts in pop-up windows, but there are ADA concerns that must be addressed before these are implemented.
YouTube may create captions for your videos. This does take some time depending on the length of the video. It may take a few hours. YouTube provides some information about their automatic captioning tool.
Hopefully you used a script when you created the video. If so, you can use the script as your caption file.
If you do not have a script, you'll need to create a caption of the video's audio. Luckily YouTube provides tools to make this (relatively) easy.
To create a caption file in YouTube:
If you have a script:
Copy the text from the script into the Type what's spoken here box.
It's a good idea to listen to the video and edit the script to accurately reflect what you actually said in the video.
If you do not have a script:
Click the play button to watch the video. Type the audio transcript into the Type what's spoken here box as you listen.
Be sure the Pause video while typing box is checked.
Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. The captions will display in the video exactly as you type them here. Don't worry about line or paragraph breaks. YouTube will do all of that for you.
YouTube saves as you type.
Each department manages their own transcript library. Check with your department to find out where your video transcript should go and how it should look.
If you have a script, that is your transcript. Talk to your department about converting the script to a transcript.
If you do not have a script, I recommend exporting the caption file and using that to create the transcript.
Once you have downloaded the caption file, you'll need to remove the time stamps. I find it easiest to
It is best practice to create a media widget asset that includes the transcript link. This is the preferred method, as the transcript is always included with the video.
The easiest way to create a media widget is to build the video and associated links in a rich text box, then copy the html code into a widget.