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Closed captions and transcripts

Thank you for your interest in Outlook Business Solutions. Due to resourcing constraints we have made the difficult decision to forego additional client work at this time. We sincerely appreciate the customers we’ve been able to help and for their commitment to inclusivity. We hope to be of service again in the near future. If you are interested in learning more about Outlook Business Solutions sister companies and how they serve individuals who are blind, please contact info@outlooken.org for more information.
Closed captions and transcripts

What is closed captioning?

Most people are familiar with subtitles. Subtitles translate the words of speakers in a video to on-screen text in the language of those watching the video. For example, providing English subtitles at the bottom of a film for a French-speaking video.

Closed captions, often known as open captions, include descriptions for any audio for deaf and hard of hearing viewers. Like subtitles, the print runs somewhere on the screen. Unlike subtitles, it includes all audio information. Closed captioning is required by U.S. law, whereas subtitles are not.

Closed captions for the blind identify speakers, capture non-speech elements and may move on the screen if obscuring important visual elements.

What are transcripts?

Transcripts provide text of all spoken and non-speech audio. They also contain descriptions of important visual elements. Transcripts are important for deafblind viewers but also help people with processing conditions, as well as others.

Creating closed captions allows for a quicker creation of descriptive transcripts. Exporting closed captions to descriptive transcripts can be done with basic web tools and skills. Visual description can be added in, then the file or link to the transcript can be clearly labeled and easy to find.

Why are closed captions and descriptive transcripts important?

Digital and video accessibility is increasingly important as society moves deeper into the digital age. Understanding and implementing inclusive design into digital platforms demonstrates your company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. It also broadens your market reach.

Benefits to creating closed captions and descriptive transcripts include:

Creating closed captions and descriptive transcripts

It’s possible to create closed captions and descriptive transcriptions on your own. Going the professional route is worth the time and money. Digital and video accessibility consultants understand best practices, and ensure your closed captions and transcripts are done right the first time.

Why should I work with an accessibility consultant?

  • Ensure legal compliance. Accessibility consultants know the law and how to implement it in digital spaces.
  • Adhere to WCAG. Accessibility consultants know best practices and are current with WCAG.
  • Test digital platforms before launching. Consultants will test platforms to ensure closed captions and transcripts work.

Outlook Business Solutions has accessibility consultants that provide all of this and more. These consultants will work with your team to test the closed captions and transcriptions you have in place and recommend fixes if necessary. Alternatively, consultants can create captions and transcriptions for your team to implement.

Deepen your company’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion by ensuring digital platforms are accessible for all users. Work with an Outlook Business Solutions consultant today by contacting us.