Instructors who create their own instructional videos must provide learners with closed captions and text transcripts of the video’s content to be in compliance with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Closed captions are text subtitles that can be turned on or off when viewing a video. They are different from open captions, which is text that is always visible and “burned” into the video.
Closed Caption Options
Option One – Do It Yourself
Instructors are strongly encouraged to use their MATC Google Apps YouTube accounts to host and caption videos. YouTube videos support closed captions, transcripts, and are accessible on mobile devices.
Option Two – Request Transcription
You may request assistance from the Faculty Innovation Center (FIC) to transcribe your video into a caption file that you can pair with your video on YouTube. After receiving a caption file from FIC staff, you must upload the caption file to your YouTube video. The captions in the file will automatically sync with the YouTube video’s timings.
Requirements
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To be compliant with US copyright law, FIC Staff can only transcribe videos that instructors have created themselves! For purchased or copyright protected works, the instructor must contact the video’s publisher to legally acquire closed captions.
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FIC Staff will transcribe video that is provided to them in a downloadable digital video file in .MP4 or .MOV format. If the video is web-based or written to a camcorder mini-DVD, the instructor will need to convert the video to a supported file format before requesting transcription services.
Request Process
If your video is ready for transcription, please use the transcription request form to submit your request and send your video file to the Faculty Innovation Center.
Transcription requests will be completed in the order received; exceptions will be made by request of the Director of Accommodations. Services will be completed within 10 business days of the accepted request unless otherwise indicated.
Once your video has been transcribed, an FIC staff member will send you the video’s closed caption file through email.
