Captions in PlayPosit
Why Captions Matter
Captions are a vital accessibility feature that make video content inclusive for learners who are d/Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have other disabilities. They also support comprehension, memory, and attention for all students. Providing text-based alternatives to audio and visual information ensures equitable access for learners with sensory or cognitive challenges, especially when visual or auditory formats are dense or unfamiliar (CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines). Captions are particularly helpful for students learning in public spaces or on mobile devices where audio playback may not be possible.
Captioning Options
PlayPosit does not generate captions automatically. Instead, it allows you to upload pre-existing caption files.
If you record or upload videos to Panopto, machine-generated captions are automatically applied through the University of Arizona’s license, and they stream directly into PlayPosit. All Panopto folders within our UA account are configured to apply captions automatically upon video creation or upload. Learn more: Caption a Video
Important: YouTube’s auto-generated captions do not stream into PlayPosit bulbs.
Any Panopto video in a PlayPosit Bulb must have public share settings for captions and other functionality. Learn more: Change Panopto Share Settings
PlayPosit can connect to existing caption tracks for videos hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. However, YouTube’s auto-generated captions do not stream into PlayPosit bulbs.
If you own the YouTube video and have caption files, you can manually upload them by dragging and dropping the file onto the dialog menu. If your video is hosted elsewhere and lacks captions, you'll need to upload a caption file in either .srt or .vtt format to PlayPosit. For more details and instructional steps, visit PlayPosit's Knowledge Base: Captions in PlayPosit (opens in a new tab).
You may also suggest that viewers use Chrome’s built-in live captioning feature: Manage captions and translations in Chrome (opens in a new tab)
Note: If a student requires a DRC accommodation, the Disability Resource Center can be contacted at disability@arizona.edu. Typically, the DRC will proactively collaborate with instructors once students submit their accommodation requests at the start of the semester. Learn more: Disability Resource Center (opens in a new tab)