Zoom Automated Captions

Beginning August 23, 2023, the default for Zoom meetings initiated by Georgetown University community members will be to allow automated captions. Meeting participants will be able to turn on captions during a meeting without the host needing to take any action.

All participants will be informed when captions are turned on in a meeting. Each participant can decide whether to turn automated captions on or off on their own computer or mobile device.

While automated captioning is not a replacement for live captioning or ASL interpreters, it is a useful accessibility tool. This new default setting will make Zoom meetings more accessible and reduce the time it takes for participants who use automated captions to enable them.

Instructions for Using Automated Captions

To enable automated captions, please follow these instructions:

• Zoom meeting participants will see a “Show Captions” button with a “CC” icon at the bottom of their Zoom meeting window. Click on the button to turn on automated captions.
• Once captions are turned on, the same button will say “Hide Captions. ” Click it again to turn off captions.
• Click the “up arrow” next to the “CC” icon to change the language of automated captions.

Zoom Automated Captions FAQs

Can Zoom automated captions be saved?

No, this is a separate setting in Zoom. The default setting for saving captions will continue to be “no.” Individual hosts may choose to change this setting for their own meetings but should inform meeting participants before doing so.

Will this produce a transcript? 

No, this is a separate setting in Zoom. The default setting for displaying a full transcript will continue to be “no.” Individual hosts may choose to change this setting for their own meetings but should inform meeting participants before doing so.

Can I use this instead of a live captioner or ASL interpreter? 

Automated captioning is a separate tool that does not replace live captions, CART, or ASL interpretation. If you need live captioning or ASL interpreting as a disability accommodation, please visit the Accommodations page for more information about which office you should contact.

Will I know when someone has turned on captions in a meeting? 

Yes, an alert will be issued to everyone in the Zoom meeting that the captions have been turned on.

The alert in my meeting mentions a transcript. Is there a transcript once captions are turned on? 

No, this is a separate setting in Zoom. The default setting for creating or saving captions will continue to be “no.”

What is the default language for automated captions for Zoom meetings? 

By default, English is the only available language for automated captions. Individual hosts can make other languages available for automated captions in their individual Zoom settings.

Will I be able to change the default language? 

Yes, you can change the default language in your individual Zoom account settings.

Who should I contact if I have other questions?

Please contact zoom@georgetown.edu.