Re: New Topic: Audio and Video Compliance: Transcripts vs Closed Captions

Hi Jacqueline, please don't forget the inclusion of audio descriptions (WCAG AA) along with captions and transcripts.  I am a firm believer in crafting policies to benefit users/recipients of those policies first and meeting regulatory guidance second.  Hopefully your instructional design team also considers universal and inclusive design as a benefit to maximize the learning opportunity and not just as a requirement to meet compliance.

Captions are good for synchronized information while transcripts are beneficial for overviews/scanning and in searching for specific text without having to go through the entire video.  However, captions and transcripts are only helpful for those who can see and interpret the visuals but they are far less helpful for those who are not able to clearly see or interpret the visuals but can still "hear" the audio.

Those with vision limitations may also be limited by a presenter's strong accent or visual elements (actions/movements, charts, images, etc.) just as those with autism or trouble with focus may be challenged to pick up on key visual clues and mannerisms.  Audio transcripts help bridge that gap.

Hope this helps!

Skye

-------- Original Message --------
From: Jonathan Avila<mailto:jon.avila@levelaccess.com>
Date: Friday, August 30, 2019 11:41 AM CDT
Subject: RE: New Topic: Audio and Video Compliance: Transcripts vs Closed Captions
To: Jacqueline Beverly<mailto:Jacqueline.Beverly@columbiasouthern.edu>, W3c-wai-ig<mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>

Jacqueline, generally transcripts do not provide the same experience as captions which are synchronized with the media allowing the user to watch the same content and view equivalents for the audio track.  The WCAG 2 AA standards require captions but not transcripts for synchronized multimedia.  Transcripts for multimedia are currently WCAG AAA although many people find them helpful and these may be needed for some populations such as people who are deafblind.  The recommended approach would be to provide both captions and transcripts with captions being needed for multimedia under WCAG 2 AA.

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila, CPWA
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Level Access
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From: Jacqueline Beverly <Jacqueline.Beverly@columbiasouthern.edu><mailto:Jacqueline.Beverly@columbiasouthern.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 11:49 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org<mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: New Topic: Audio and Video Compliance: Transcripts vs Closed Captions

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My instructional design team is currently reviewing our ADA policies and processes to ensure we are remaining compliant. An item we are stuck on and could really use some guidance is transcripts vs closed captions. Our current process requires us to provide a transcript for all audio and video in our courses. We do not require closed captioning, but sometimes it is included. Can anyone tell me if we are required to offer closed captioning too? Looking at the standards and guidelines and other sites, I have read contradictory information. Thanks!

[cid:part11.F099E445.8CE25F92@live.com]
Jacqueline Beverly
Assistant Director – Instructional Design, Instructional Design and Technology
Columbia Southern University
800.977.8449  ext: 1873
21982 University Lane | Orange Beach, AL 36561
ColumbiaSouthern.edu