Live captioning tools like Zoom and Teams have revolutionized accessibility in virtual communication, enabling captions in real-time for meetings, webinars, and conferences. These platforms offer built-in automatic captioning features to help participants with hearing impairments or language barriers engage more effectively. Additionally, some tools support Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, allowing professional captioners to provide accurate and instant captions.

Zoom

Zoom is a popular and accessible video conferencing platform. From emoticons, to chat, and pinning presenters, Zoom offers many solutions for users to engage in meetings Zoom offers automatic captioning services and the ability for hosts to add a professional captioner for CART services. Here is a list of some of the accessibility features available in Zoom:

• Screen-reader compatibility
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Ability to export transcripts
• Downloadable recordings with synced captions
• Auditory indicators
• Spotlight ASL/LSQ interpreters
• Use of non-verbal feedback
• Auto-save chat

https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0058810

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams supports captioning accessibility features, including live captions and transcription services. It supports automatic captions in various languages, manual captioning, and CART services. Live captions can be translated, offering a wide range of languages.

View live transcription in Microsoft Teams meetings – Microsoft Support

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 offers a transcription feature that converts spoken words into on-screen captions or subtitles in another language during presentations. This function includes customizable options for caption and subtitle appearance, such as position, size, and colour, to meet various environmental conditions and audience preferences.

Activity

Use this H5P activity to test your knowledge of live captioning tools.