Multimedia (Audio & Video)

What are captions?

Captions appear on the video screen and change dynamically as the video plays
They can be open or closed
Captions includes description of important sounds
The primary audience is hard of hearing, deaf/Deaf viewers

Learn more about captions

What is a transcript?

A transcript is a written version of the entire video — like a screenplay
It includes description of important sounds and visual elements
The primary audiences include visually impaired users, viewers with learning/cognitive disabilities

Learn more about transcripts

When are captions and/or a transcript required?

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Audio Only

Audio only files (e.g., music, sounds/spoken word, podcasts) should have transcripts available, either on the same page as the audio file or through a link to a clean, simple HTML page.

For example, if you upload an audio file of a student reading a poem, you should also have the text of the poem available for those who cannot hear the file and would like to read it. You can have the actual words on the page, like this: Example of a transcript for an audio file

Learn more about creating a transcript.

Pre-Recorded Video

Pre-Recorded video files must have captions, preferably closed ("closed captions" have a button to turn captions on and off). A descriptive transcript is also recommended.

New Video

If MTS is filming your video, they can work with you to set up closed captions.

Videos Created by You

You may generate autocaptions and edit them, or
contact our preferred vendor, Verbit to have captions produced for you

External Videos

Do not embed videos that do not contain captions on Brandeis websites. If the video is not accessible, you should avoid linking to it directly from the Brandeis website. If the video does not belong to you, try contacting the owner of the video and requesting that captions be added.

Please note: some services, for example YouTube, offer autocaptions (the computer will write the captions for you). This is a good start, but they are neither dependable nor accurate much of the time. If you decide to use autocaptions, please review the captions the computer provided and edit them for accuracy and punctuation before releasing or linking to the video.

Get help creating a separate transcript page.

Live Streaming Video

Live streaming video should have captions, preferably closed ("closed captions" have a button to turn captions on and off). It is generally understood that transcripts are unavailable for live video, but when possible (streaming a speech or a reading/performance of pre-written material), transcripts should be provided.

You can order captions for live events through our vendor, Verbit or MTS can help you. Contact webaccessibility@brandeis.edu to get an account for Verbit.

Web Accessibility