Accessibility for Audio, Video, & Images

Audio & Video Accessibility

Providing transcripts and captions for all audio and video content ensures accessibility for all students, including those with hearing impairments, learning differences, or those who prefer reading to listening. Transcripts and captions serve multiple purposes beyond accessibility. They can help students with comprehension, allow for easy review of content, and support learning in environments where audio cannot be played. The transcripts should be accurate, well-formatted, and include relevant audio descriptions.

Benefits to Students

Plan your recorded lectures and other video and audio content with accessibility in mind. Consider how a hearing-impaired or visually impaired student might perceive your recording and add any descriptions, etc., that will help that student have an equitable experience. Captioning your lecture videos and providing transcripts for audio-only materials assists students with hearing impairments, students who use English as a second language, and students who are viewing your videos in environments where having the sound on is not possible.

Benefits to Instructors

Implementing accessibility features like captions and transcripts not only helps students but also makes course materials more versatile and effective. Instructors benefit from having content that is more easily updated and repurposed, as accessible materials are typically well-organized and clearly documented. Additionally, using accessibility best practices can reduce the need for one-on-one accommodations and last-minute adjustments, saving time and effort in the long run. By proactively designing courses with accessibility in mind, instructors demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, which can enhance course evaluations and support a positive learning environment for all students.

Rationale

Academic and support staff who interact with students should be able to guide students to the range of support services offered by the institution; continuing support helps students develop as engaged learners, with the information and skills to seek special opportunities to enhance their success. The University’s processes and activities demonstrate inclusive and equitable treatment of diverse populations.

HLC: This item aligns with #3, #14, and #15 on the HLC 21st Century Distance Learning Guidelines.

What Reviewers Look For

Reviewers expect to see consistent and thoughtful use of accessibility features throughout the course to support a diverse range of learners. Examples that meet expectations for audio and video include:

Fully accurate transcripts for all lecture videos that capture spoken content and important audio cues.
Closed captions that sync precisely with video content.
Audio transcripts that include speaker identification and description of significant audio elements.
Providing both transcript and caption options to accommodate different user preferences.

What You Can Do

Plan for Accessibility Early: As you create or upload audio and video content, consider how students with hearing or visual impairments will interact with your materials. Add captions to videos using tools like Panopto, Zoom, or VoiceThread and provide transcripts for audio-only resources.
Utilize Built-In Accessibility Features: Take advantage of the automatic captioning and alternative text features provided by the University’s supported platforms. Check the accuracy of captions and make corrections as needed to ensure clarity.
Provide Resources and Support: Link to guides or tutorials, like How to Add ASR Captions into a Video (Panopto) or Automatic VoiceThread Captioning, to make sure students and fellow faculty members are aware of available accessibility tools.
Review and Update Regularly: Revisit your course materials each semester to verify that all accessibility features are functioning correctly and that new content meets accessibility standards. This helps ensure a consistent and equitable experience for all students.