In our teaching it is important to ensure that all students can access the material and part of this is ensuring that closed captioning (subtitles) is available.
Closed captions are not only helpful for those students with hearing disabilities or whose first language is not English. Subtitles are a useful learning aid that can help students better understand, organise and learn the information in videos.
A working group led by Claire Smith, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Education and Innovation, with student and staff representation, has reviewed different options to improve captioning, the learning experience and the experience for staff.
Their recommendations have recently been approved by the University Education Committee in the University of Sussex Statement on Captioning of Recorded Content.
The working group was keen to ensure that not only is there guidance in place for staff but practical advice available for students on how to overcome some of the limitations that are provided by captions - irrespective of the system used.
The University’s Student Connectors have produced a student guide on how to add captions to visual study materials. This will also be provided in leaflet form at the Library.
- Find out more about creating accessible digital documents for people with impairments
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If you're commissioning video from a University-approved agency, they should follow our video guidance, which includes captioning
- If you receive queries about technology for studying, you can direct students to a Student Hub webpage about software and hardware for courses