Decide whether to transcribe or caption

Some situations require only transcripts. Others require captions. Note that to make captions you must first have a transcript.

1. Provide transcripts for audio-only recordings.
   • The text transcript must be posted along with the audio recording for hearing impaired individuals. (Posting a transcript also ensures your website is keyword searchable and will be indexed by search engines, which improves functionality for all.)
2. Provide captions for video.
   Captioned video
   • ensures that deaf or hearing impaired individuals can use the video,
   • supports different learning styles, especially for people who prefer to read instead of listen, and
   • is useful when it's not possible or convenient to play the sound.

   There are two types of captions:

   • Closed captions: This is the technique to use because the viewer can turn off the captioning.
   • Open captions: Captions appear without the option to remove them.