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Videos Accessibility How-To Guide

Purpose:  

 This guide will help faculty create accessible video content so all students—including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind visually impaired, or using assistive technology—can fully engage with course media. 

Accessible videos ensure that spoken content, visual information, and instructional context are available to all learners through captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions.

1. Provide Accurate Closed Captions 

Why: Captions display spoken dialogue and relevant sounds as text on the screen. They allow students who are deaf or hard of hearing to access video content and benefit students who are: 

  • Non-native English speakers 

  • Learning in noisy environments 

  • Reviewing complex material 

  • Using assistive technologies 

 

How: 

If using Panopto: 

  1. Upload or open your video in Panopto. 

  1. Select the video and click Edit. 

  1. Navigate to the Captions tab. 

  1. Choose Import Automatic Captions or Request Machine Captions. 

  1. Review and edit captions to correct errors. 

  1. Save changes before publishing. 

If using YouTube: 

  1. Upload your video to YouTube. 

  1. Open YouTube Studio. 

  1. Select Subtitles from the left menu. 

  1. Choose the video you want to edit. 

  1. Review the automatically generated captions. 

  1. Edit captions to correct spelling, punctuation, and timing. 

 

Tips: 

  • Automatically generated captions often contain errors and must be reviewed. 

  • Ensure captions include speaker identification when relevant. 

  • Caption sound effects when they contribute to understanding (e.g. [applause]). 

For more information, please visit Video Captions & Audio Descriptions. 

2. Provide Video Transcripts 

Why: A transcript is a text version of all spoken and relevant visual content in a video. Transcripts help students: 

  • Review information quickly 

  • Search for key concepts 

  • Access content using screen readers 

  • Study more efficiently 

How: 

Using Panotpto: 

  1. Generate captions in Panopto. 

  1. Open the Captions editor. 

  1. Export or copy the caption text. 

  1. Format the captions into a readable transcript. 

  1. Provide the transcript alongside the video in Canvas or course materials 

 

Using YouTube: 

  1. Open YouTube Studio. 

  1. Select Subtitles. 

  1. Choose the video. 

  1. Download the caption file. 

  1. Convert the captions into paragraph format to improve readability. 

  1. Provide the transcript with the video or within course materials. 

 

Tips: 

  • Include speaker names when multiple speakers are present 

  • Include important visual information referenced in the video 

 

Example: 

Instructor: Today we will review the accessibility guidelines. 

 

For more information, please review the Accessible Synchronized Media Checklist document. 

3. Add Audio Descriptions for Important Visual Content 

Why: Audio descriptions explain important visual elements in a video for students who cannot see them. 

Examples include: 

    • Charts or graphs 

    • Demonstrations 

    • Text appearing on screen 

    • Visual results of experiments 

How: 

Using Panopto: 

  1. Open the video. 

  1. Select Edit. 

  1. Navigate to the Audio Descriptions tab. 

  1. Move the timeline playhead to the appropriate moment. 

  1. Enter a short description of the visual content. 

  1. Select Save. 

  1. Select Apply. 

Once descriptions are added, the AD playback toggle becomes available. 

 

Tip: 

Describe essential instructional visuals, not every movement. 

Example: 

Poor description: Person writing on board. 

Better description: Instructor writes “Accessibility Principles” on the board. 

 

For more information, please review the Panopto Video Upload, Closed Captions, and Audio Descriptions document. 

4. Ensure Important Information is Not Only Visual 

Why: Some videos rely on visual demonstrations without explaining them verbally. This creates barriers for students who cannot see the screen. 

How: 

When recording videos: 

  • Describe important visual actions verbally 

  • Read important text that appears on screen 

  • Explain charts, diagrams, or demonstrations aloud 

Example: 

Instead of saying: “As you can see here…” 

Say: “The chart shows a 40 percent increase in accessibility compliance.” 

 

Tips: 

Always assume that some students cannot see the video content. 

 

For more information, please review the Accessible Synchronized Media Checklist document. 

5. Avoid Rapid Visual Changes or Flashing Content 

Why: Rapid flashing content can cause seizures or make content difficult to follow. 

Guidelines: 

  • Avoid flashing more than three times per second 

  • Limit unnecessary animations or rapid visual transitions 

  • Keep pacing consistent and easy to follow 

 

Tips: 

Simple and steady visuals improve comprehension for all students. 

 

For more information, please visit Flashing Content. 

6. Ensure Video Players Support Accessibility 

Why: Students must be able to control playback independently. 

Accessible video players allow students to: 

  • Enable captions 

  • Adjust playback speed 

  • Pause and rewind content 

  • Navigate using keyboard controls 

 

Best Practices: 

  • Upload videos through Panopto within Canvas when possible 

  • Ensure CC (captions) toggle is enabled 

  • If hosting on YouTube, confirm captions are published and visible 

  • Confirm captions display correctly during playback 

 

Tips: 

After uploading a video, always test playback in Student View. 

 

For more information, please review the Panopto Video Upload, Closed Captions, and Audio Descriptions document. 

 7. Review Accessibility Before Publishing 

Why: Accessibility issues often appear during processing or editing. 

How: 

Before sharing a video with students: 

If using Panopto: 

  1. Play the video. 

  1. Turn captions ON. 

  1. Verify captions match the spoken content. 

  1. Confirm audio descriptions appear when enabled. 

  1. Ensure all important visuals are explained. 

 

If using YouTube: 

  1. Open the video in YouTube Studio. 

  1. Enable captions. 

  1. Review the video with captions turned on. 

  1. Confirm captions are accurate and synchronized. 

  1. Ensure visual information is explained verbally. 

 

Tips: 

Ask yourself: 

  • Can someone understand this video without hearing it? 

  • Can someone understand it without seeing it? 

If yes, the video is likely accessible. 

 

For more information, please review the Accessible Synchronized Media Checklist document. 

 Quick Reference / Checklist 

 

Task Done?
Add and review closed captions 

☐ 
Provide a transcript 

☐ 
Add audio descriptions for important visuals 

☐ 
Describe visual information verbally 

☐ 
Avoid flashing or rapid visual effects 

☐ 
Confirm captions work in the video player 

☐ 
Test video accessibility before publishing 

☐ 
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