Captioning Policy

Tufts University is committed to providing videos and audio files that are accessible to all. The easiest way to do that is by captioning these files. For the purposes of this policy, Tufts is asking all faculty, staff and students to make sure that their video and audio files are closed captioned. Closed captioning is a technique of displaying the captioned text only when it is desired and can be turned off.

In October 2021, university leadership approved the Tufts University Captioning Policy. The policy goes into effect on June 30, 2022, and applies to all videos and audio files created or posted after this date. Anything created or posted prior to that is exempt from the policy unless a person with a disability asks for captioning as an accommodation.

The Captioning Policy requires:

• All synchronous courses and meetings using Zoom, Google, or similar platforms must enable the built-in captioning feature.   
• Materials essential for the university’s academic, clinical, scholarship, research, and/or other activities central to the university’s mission that are not posted for public consumption must be captioned using reliable auto-generated captioning technology as it becomes available.   
• In most cases, auto-generated captioning will suffice. We recommend using any of the following tools (links to training resources):
  • Zoom
  • Canvas
  • YouTube
  • Echo 360
• Prior to being posted, all auto-generated captions must be reviewed for accuracy.  
• In the absence of such technology, the video or audio file must include a Tufts Accessibility Statement directing individuals with disabilities to the appropriate resources.  
• If a person with a disability requests captioning or a transcript, the department hosting that video or audio file must fulfill that request within five (5) days.  
• Any videos or audio files procured from a third party must comply with the Procurement Protocol for Accessible Digital Technology.   
• Videos and audio files with high public visibility (e.g., promotional materials and events produced for admissions, marketing, or advancement purposes) should use human-created captions that accurately reflect the content. For a list of recommended captioning vendors, contact accessibility-support@elist.tufts.edu.   
• All captioning costs must be paid for by the department using and hosting the video file.

Official Captioning Policy

If you have any questions about the policy or tools you can use for captioning, please contact  accessibility-support@elist.tufts.edu.