Accessibility Tip: Captions Help More People Than You Think
Captions provide a text version of spoken dialogue and important sounds in videos. They are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they also benefit many other viewers.
Providing captions helps ensure that video content is accessible and easier for everyone to use.
Why Captions Matter
Many people watch videos in environments where audio may not be available or practical, such as public spaces, offices, or classrooms.
Captions also support people who:
- Prefer reading along with audio
- Are learning English as a second language
- Need help understanding unfamiliar terminology or accents
By adding captions, content creators can make videos more accessible and easier to understand.
Tips for Accessible Video Content
Provide captions for recorded videos.
Captions should include spoken dialogue and important sounds when relevant.Review automated captions.
AI-generated captions can be helpful but often require editing for accuracy.Ensure captions are synchronized.
Captions should appear at the same time the words are spoken.
Accessible Videos Reach More People
Captions improve accessibility while also making video content more flexible and user-friendly. Adding captions helps ensure that everyone can access and understand the information being shared.
Quick Accessibility Check
Before publishing a video, ask yourself:
- Does the video include captions?
- Are the captions accurate and easy to read?
- Do the captions appear at the correct time?
Accessibility Tip is a series from the Digital Accessibility group, a subcommittee of the University Technology Committee, sharing practical ways to improve digital accessibility and create more inclusive online experiences at Minnesota State Moorhead.