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Scope
This includes videos and audio resources. Note that there is a difference between requirements for pre-recorded and livestreamed media content. Note that this section does not apply to teaching materials – these are covered in section 5.
Pre-recorded content
Pre-recorded video content like promotional videos, opinion pieces, instructional videos, interviews etc. must have accurate captions that are synchronised with the audio. This ensures that the information communicated by the audio part of the video is available to people who cannot hear it. The captions must include all important parts of the spoken content, and any other significant sounds. Pre-recorded video may not be published to end-users without closed captioning in place.
If pre-recorded video content is being placed on a public facing website, it should also have a transcript (or audio description if more appropriate).
Livestreamed content
Livestreamed video content such as webinars, online presentations and lectures are not required to have accurate captions at the time of streaming, but if they are subsequently made available online, after 14 days they are regarded as ‘pre-recorded’ content and from this point must have captions which are synchronised with the audio.
Whilst captions are not mandatory at the time of streaming, colleagues are strongly advised to use platforms such as Teams or Zoom which have a facility for automated captions which the audience can choose to turn on.
If a livestreamed event is going to have a large audience (for instance an open day, public lecture, conference, or town hall meeting) then organisers should consider engaging a captioning service or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. In all cases access requirements should be requested in advance of a large event.
Third party content
Some third-party content sourced externally from services such as YouTube, Vimeo etc. may not have closed captions. Staff are advised to seek out content which does have captions, and if this is not possible, a written summary of the content should be provided as a complement to the resource.
Audio recordings
Audio recordings and podcasts must be accompanied by a transcript for use by deaf/Deaf people, those with hearing loss and those who prefer to process information in written form.
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