Captions provide D/deaf and Hard of Hearing people access to spoken language/ambient sounds (e.g. laughter, music, applause) and allow learners to view content in multiple different ways. Captions also benefit English language learners, people who speak a preferred language other than English, visual learners, people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and people with some types of neurodiversity.
Please note: auto-generated and AI-generated captions and transcripts are not considered fully accessible under the ADA. To be fully accessible, captions and transcripts must be reviewed by a human to ensure they're fully accurate.
ASL interpreters, Note Takers, or TypeWell Transcribers are not an acceptable substitute for the captioning accommodation as these force students to choose between viewing a film and watching an interpreter/reading a transcript.
For live captioning (CART), or ASL and Protactile interpretation services please visit the ASL Interpreter Services & CART page.
More About Captions & Transcription
Captions vs Transcriptions vs Audio Description
Captions
Captions are a product of converting audio from a video into text and displaying it on the video screen.
All multimedia content with speech should have accessible captions that are:
Synchronized to appear at approximately the same time as the corresponding audio.
Equivalent to the spoken words and other audio information.
Accessible, or readily available, to those who need it.
Transcripts
Transcripts provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing people access to audio-only productions, such as podcasts. They also allow users to search for information, serve people who prefer to read rather than listen to information, and improve your search engine optimization. Time-stamped transcripts are provided for audio only content with no visual element. Non-time-stamped transcripts are provided on request in addition to video captions.
Audio Descriptions
Audio description is audio that describes the visual contents of a video for users who cannot access the visual information. Please visit the Audio Description Services page for more information.
Open vs. Closed Captioning
Closed Captions
Closed Captions (CC) can be added to media that is posted online and can be turned on/off by the user. For this option, we provide a timestamped text file which can be layered over most online platforms. Once added, the viewer can turn the captions on or off at their discretion.
Closed captions are considered preferable to open captions in most situations, because some people find captions distracting, and need to turn them off. Assistive technology can also customize closed captions for a number of different visual disabilities.
Open Captions
Open Captions are captions where the text is embedded into the video file and play automatically when the video is played. For this option, we will deliver a local MP4 via UVM File Transfer.
How to Submit a Request
Below are few options for how to submit a captioning request. Alternative methods for sharing files are acceptable as long as media is accessible. If applicable, passwords should be provided/removed prior to submitting a request.
• Submission Option 1: fill out the Captioning Request Form
• Submission Option 2: share local files with captioning@uvm.edu via UVM’s File Transfer Service
• Submission Option 3: email online links directly to captioning@uvm.edu
SRT vs VTT
SRT
SubRip Subtitles (SRT) files are plain text subtitles that store numbered cues, start and end timestamps, and text. Its biggest advantage is simplicity. Typically, an SRT file can be opened in any text editor and uploaded to a wide range of video platforms.
VTT
Web Video Text Tracks (VTT) files are also a plain text subtitle format, but it was created for HTML5 video and web playback. Files may also optionally include identifiers, cue settings, styling hooks, and region definitions.
Which streaming service requires which file types?
Streaming Service | File Type | Link to Directions |
|---|---|---|
UVM Streaming | VTT | |
YouTube | SRT | |
Vimeo | SRT, VTT | How to add captions or subtitles to my video – Vimeo Help Center |
PowerPoint | VTT | Add closed captions or subtitles to media in PowerPoint | Microsoft Support |
Brightspace | SRT, VTT | |
SRT | Add or remove captions on your video on Facebook | Facebook Help Center |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I show a video in class without having to upload the file to a streaming service?
While there are many different multimedia options, we recommend VLC Media Player as it is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
What is the standard turnaround time for caption requests?
Our standard turnaround is 2-3 business days, although additional processing time may be required for media with poor audio or that is longer than an hour. Accompanying scripts are welcome, but not required, as they improve accuracy and turnaround. Let us know if you have a tight deadline and we will put a rush on your order.
Do you charge a fee for this service?
OAS provides free captioning, audio description, and transcription services for all UVM faculty, staff, and students, regardless of disability status. OAS also provides these services free to UVM affiliates hosting a public event, or an event where an outside attendee has specifically requested captioning, or for any content that is posting publicly online.
For all other requests, OAS may require that the requesting office/department/agency reimburse for services.
I am a UVM staff or faculty member, and want to learn how to caption my own videos. Do you have any resources?
Yes! We have a resource guide for learning how to create your own captions: How to Create Accessible Captions for Videos at UVM.