Captioning for Live Events and Video

Captioning your live events or prerecorded media means that content is accessible for a wide range of viewers and audience members. Providing captions is also a required practice under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at the AA level, which Western aims to meet in its accessibility statement.

If you're not sure whether your media or event needs captions, the following decision tree form can tell you your next steps, based on your content or event.

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Captioning Decision Tree

Is your video live or pre-recorded?
Who is the audience for your live video?
Has someone requested closed captioning as an accommodation for this event?
Who is the audience for your prerecorded video?

Live captions are required. Reach out to the CRTC if you need assistance organizing live captioning or ASL services.

Captions are only required if needed as an accommodation, but auto captions are still recommended if available.

Ensure your event includes a clear accommodation statement in all advertising materials. You can find examples in the EO/AA templates for publications.

If you receive an accommodation request for captions and need assistance, reach out to crtc@wwu.edu.

Captions are required if you have a student with a closed caption accommodations, but auto captions strongly recommended if not. 

The DAC will contact you if you have a student with a closed captioning accommodation. If you have further questions, email drscc@wwu.edu.

Closed captions are required. If you need assistance or wish to go through a vendor to caption your video, email crtc@wwu.edu.

Captions are only required if needed as an accommodation, but auto captions are still recommended if available.

Ensure your event has a clear accommodation statement in all advertising materials. You can find examples in the EO/AA templates for publications.

If you receive an accommodation request for captions and need assistance, reach out to crtc@wwu.edu.