Captioning Capability in URI Systems
The following applications support at least one method of captioning:
- Zoom
- Webex
- Microsoft Teams
- Panopto (https://support.panopto.com/s/ search for webcast to learn how to live stream)
- YouTube
- 3PlayMedia ($) Translation & language options
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Google Slides
- Google Meet
Please note captions must be turned on by individual viewers to be seen. Zoom and Webex meetings can be recorded by the host, then stored in their clouds or Panopto and shared with the class via links in Brightspace.
Note: We know tables are not the best way to present accessible information - this is a temporary solution.
| Application | Post-production captions | Auto-captions | Live captions by 3rd party$ | Live auto-captions |
| Zoom | √ | √ | ||
| Webex | √ | √ | ||
| Microsoft Teams | √ | |||
| Panopto | √ | √ | ||
| YoutTube | √ | |||
| 3PlayMedia ($) | √ | √ | ||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | √ | |||
| Google Slides | √ | |||
| Google Meet | √ |
Panopto – https://support.panopto.com/s/article/Learn-About-Accessibility-Features
For asynchronous online classes, Panopto is available for all URI faculty and students to capture their screencasts or PowerPoint voiceovers, for example. Then tell Panopto to generate automated captions which can easily be checked and edited through a simple interface.
Also, visit this site for more details about using Panopto with Brightspace: https://support.panopto.com/s/article/Learn-About-the-Brightspace-D2L-Integration
Brightspace – https://community.brightspace.com/ Visit the Brightspace Community and use the search term “A11y” to learn about accessibility tools built into Brightspace
Webex – URI Webex Login page: https://rhody.webex.com/
Tap the Webex Assistant button from the call controls, and toggle closed captioning on or off. If the meeting is recorded and the Meeting Assistant is on in the meeting, you get a transcript after the meeting
Captioning Original Pre-Recorded Content
Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Options
The accuracy of auto captioning depends upon good audio quality. When recording media, please begin with a good microphone or headset and a quiet recording environment.
Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), sometimes known as “auto captions”, is available at no additional cost, and may be a suitable option by itself. This option may also be used to provide an initial product that can then be corrected to perfection by the media creator. In general, ASR captions can be expected to be about 80% accurate, though this can vary widely based on the quality of recording, aspects of the speaker’s voice and the nature of the subject being discussed. ASR captions should always be reviewed for accuracy.
We have two supported options available for ASR captioning available at no additional cost:
- Panopto
Panopto is an excellent “one stop” place to record and/or upload media into Brightspace for use within your Brightspace course(s). Panopto provides a wealth of interactive options in addition to supplying ASR captions, which then may (and should) be edited before publication. Please see our How to add ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) Captions into a Video in Panopto? - YouTube
YouTube is another good option as a place to record or upload media for captioning and distribution. YouTube is a good option if you wish to share your media outside of Brightspace (e.g., on a website) or to make it available in a public-facing YouTube Channel, etc. YouTube also provides an option to create ASR captions, which may then be edited, if desired, before publication. Please see the Brightspace Community Post #7 in the Accessibility series. Captioning in YouTube. - Google Slides –
To generate automatic closed captioning:
-
- Open your presentation in Google Slides.
- Click on “Present” in the top right corner of the screen.
- From the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click on the CC icon to turn on automatic captioning.
- As you speak, you will see captions appear at the bottom of the screen.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISixG6xEWU4
- Google Meet – Present with real-time, automatic captions or subtitles in PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams – Use live captions in a Teams meeting
In Teams->More options -> Turn on live captions.
-
- Teams doesn’t save captions. If you’d like a transcript of the meeting, turn on transcription. You’ll be able to download the transcript after the meeting.
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-live-captions-in-a-teams-meeting-4be2d304-f675-4b57-8347-cbd000a21260
Managing Closed Captioning and Live Transcription
Please note that Zoom captions, as with any automatic captions, will vary in accuracy and may be insufficient for providing equitable access if an attendee is deaf or hard of hearing. For more information, please reach out to the Disability, Access and Inclusion, or ITS.
Best Practices for Live Captioning requires:
- Strong network connection
- Good quality audio
- Little to no background noise
- Single speaker
- Clear speech and pronunciation
Accessible Presenting includes:
- Describe your slides
- Caption your videos
- Add audio description to videos
- Check the color contrast of your slides
- Read polls, chats, and questions aloud
- A caution about polling accessibility challenges
- Ensure your handouts are accessible
How to Guide: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/207279736-Managing-closed-captioning-and-live-transcription
Audio Best Practice, Camera Best Practices and Post Event Accessibility are also discussed in the Ultimate Guide to Accessible Zoom Meetings on pages 17-19.