Closed Captioning (CC)
Captioning visual media
Any media that will be part of your lectures/assignments must be accessible when they are captioned. If a video is not captioned or a podcast does not have a transcript, instructors are responsible to arrange for an accessible version to be produced.
The Accessibility and Disability Services Office may be able to provide guidance and assistance in some circumstances. Therefore, professors should plan ahead by allowing anywhere from one week to three months for media files to be transcribed and or captioned; thus requests are encouraged to be sent to ADS in a timely manner if assistance is required.
Please scroll down to learn of some helpful tips on captioning that you may find helpful.
Closed Captioning 101.pptxIn General
Two to three lines per caption frame is average. But if you need four lines because of the context, do it.
Dialog
When two people are talking at the same time on the screen, you need to be able to distinguish them. Place captioned lines on the screen as character is saying them, so it is obvious to viewers who is talking. If it is not obvious who is talking on the screen, it is recommended that each person’s dialog is labeled with the name/description of the person talking.
Example:
Tom: I can’t see you!
John: Take your head out of the fridge then!
Music
A description (in brackets) should be used for instrumental/background music when it's essential to the understanding of the video/scene. Off-screen background music description should be italicized. If possible, the description should include the performer/composer and the title.
Example:
[Louis Armstrong plays"Hello Dolly"]
[pianist playing]
Nonessential background music should be captioned by placing a music icon (♪) and should never be captioned at the expense of dialogue. (There is no need to caption background music with a duration under 5 seconds).
If music contains lyrics, caption the lyrics verbatim. The lyrics should be introduced with the name of the artist and the title in brackets, if the presentation rate permits.
Example:
[Dinah Washington singing “Mad about the Boy”]
♪The boys are back in town ♪♪
Sounds Effects
Sound effects are sounds other than music, narration, or dialogue. They are captioned if it is necessary for the understanding and/or enjoyment of the media. A description of sound effects, in brackets, should include the source of the sound. However, the source may be omitted if it can be clearly seen onscreen. And never use the past tense when describing sounds. Captions should be synchronized with the sound and are therefore in the present tense.
Example:
[audience cheers]
Off-screen sound effects should be italicized, if italics are available.
Example:
[dogs barking]
Use punctuation to indicate speed or pace of sound.
Example for slow sounds:
[clock chiming]
Dong…dong…dong
Example of fast/rapid sounds:
[gun firing]
Bang, bang, bang