Zoom Accessibility

Zoom provides several accessibility features to meet the needs of all learners. 

Option 1: Automated live captioning

Automated live captioning can be turned on by the host or by the participants through in-meeting controls. When viewing automated captions in a live meeting or webinar, captions will include the speaker’s profile picture as part of captions, to make it easier to understand who is currently speaking. If the user has no profile picture, their initials will be displayed instead. Their full name is provided when viewing the full transcript.

Option 2: Audio transcript

An audio transcript is a text file of the audio in a Zoom meeting. The most efficient and cost effective way to provide a “substantially equivalent” learning experience is to utilize Zoom’s audio transcript feature.

• In Zoom settings:
  1. Enable closed captioning in Zoom settings.
  2. Enable the setting to record your Zoom session to the cloud.
  3. Enable audio transcript in settings.
• When you begin your session, let participants know they are being recorded.
• Edit audio transcript before posting. To meet ADA requirements, the transcript must be an accurate representation of the session.
• The transcript is available within the Zoom recording, or it can be embedded in the recording and displayed as closed captioning. The transcript file can also be shared separately or posted in Canvas.
  NOTE: Do not post in a public location. The audio transcript includes speaker names.

Option 3: Closed captioning

After your session, order a recording transcript or closed captions from a third-party vendor. A complete list of MU approved captioning and transcription services is available. The closed captioning is also visible if the recording is transferred to Panopto. Upload a Zoom recording into Panopto and then embed the Panopto recording in Canvas. 

Option 4: Manual live captioning

Zoom allows a participant or cohost to manually live caption a meeting or webinar. Zoom also allows a third-party to provide live capturing via the meeting URL. The MU ADA office has traditionally used 20/20 Captioning.  A list of some approved captioning and transcription services is available.