Provide Text Transcripts for Audio Recordings

For help, contact: Karen Sorensen

Why this is Important

Audio transcripts are obviously beneficial to Deaf and hard of hearing students. But they are actually beneficial to all students because content in text format is searchable. If a student is studying for a test, they might not have time to listen to an entire audio recording of a lecture, but they can scan the text transcript and highlight the important facts. Transcripts also are helpful to non-native speakers so they don't misunderstand someone's recorded words.

How to Achieve this Accessibility Guideline

This Guideline requires you provide a transcript for any recordings you produce or have produced.

But Wait...

If you don't have a student that needs captioning and you will not be saving the recording for more than the current term, it does not need to be transcribed or captioned.

However, if you want to use the recording next term or in the future, it needs to be transcribed.

Two Really Good Reasons to Use a Script

We highly recommend you create a script prior to recording.

  1. It improves the quality of your performance.
  2. You can posting it to your course with the audio recording, and fulfill this Accessibility Guideline!

No Script?

If you didn't use a script, you will have to transcribe the audio and post the transcript with the audio file.

Ways to Transcribe Audio Files

There are a few different ways you can create a transcript from your audio file:

  • Type out a transcript on a word document, accurately portraying the dialogue (including identifying the speaker) and background noises.
    • Use Google Chrome's Transcribe tool that allows you to select an audio file on your computer and adjust the playback speed so you can keep up as you type.
  • If you don't want to type the transcript out,
    • You can use a technique called re-voicing. As you play the recording, repeat it using the speech recognition software built into Windows 7's operating system or Dragon Naturally Speaking. As you repeat the words spoken in the recording, your speech will be converted to text on the word document. Take the time to train your voice recognition software to your voice to improve your results.
    • Or, Dragon Naturally Speaking can also import sound files (.wav format) and convert them to text.
      • For the best results, the recording should be a clear recording of a single speaker who has trained Dragon NS to their voice.
    • Or, Use Camtasia
      1. Import your audio file.
      2. Add a photo in the video track and extend it so it appears for the entire length of the recording.
      3. Then follow the same process as video captioning, although it will be easier because you will not have a video to synchronize the captions to.

Linking to an Audio Recording on another Website?

You are not expected to transcribe recordings from other websites, but please check to see if a transcript exists and make sure your students know how to find it (if it's available).

Live Audio Events

If your class is going to listen to or participate in real-time (live) audio events, and you have a student who needs a captioning accommodation, please contact Sharon Allen to set up a real-time captioner for the event.

Resources