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PDM IT Help Center

Captioning & Transcript Requirements for Audio/Visual Content

To ensure that our events and online media are as inclusive as possible, Penn accessibility policy requires captioning of all multimedia.

For live events (in-person or virtual), we need to provide the best quality captions reasonably available. (Please note that while ASL interpretation is not required, it is always encouraged for high-impact events.)

For recorded content posted publicly, we need to provide professional-quality captions, meaning 99% accuracy. 

For recorded content posted internally (e.g. on Inside PDM), automatically generated captions are acceptable. However, the content owner must provide professional-quality captions upon request or if the material is considered essential for an employee or student who needs captions as an accommodation.

To determine captioning requirements for your scenario, please refer to the following table:

Media Type Example Captions Transcript Audio Description*
Pre-recorded, multimedia Any event recording or other video that includes speaking Required Encouraged Required
Pre-recorded, video only Visual tour or guide with no narration   Encouraged Required
Pre-recorded, audio only Podcast or radio clip   Required  
Live, Multimedia Live events, webinars, virtual meetings, livestreams. Includes any pre-recorded content shared during live event. Required Encouraged  
Accessibility Decision Matrix for A/V Content

*Audio description is required when the video contains important visual information that is not conveyed by the spoken content. For pre-recorded content, a transcript may also suffice.

Resources

For assistance with obtaining captions, transcripts, or audio description for your content, please submit a ticket to PDM IT.

Sources: Penn Web Accessibility, Deque Systems

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