Zoom now has a live transcription feature that creates real-time captions during meetings. Once the host enables it, participants can choose to view captions as subtitles in the meeting window, or open a full transcript in a side panel. Captions can also be translated, with support for over 36 languages through real-time translation.
Features:
1. Host-enabled live captions : Participants can turn on captioning to read spoken dialogue as subtitles during meetings once the host turns the feature on.
2. Real-time translation: Captions can be translated in real time, with support for over 36 languages
3. Automated transcript: Meetings recorded to the cloud generate a text transcript that can be reviewed and shared later.
These features improve accessibility for people who have hearing disabilities and support users across languages and learning needs. Beyond an accessibility feature, captions also help fill in gaps caused by poor audio or internet connection and make it easier to catch up if someone briefly steps away from a meeting.
Live captions provide support for people who are deaf or hard of hearing by allowing them to follow conversations as they happen. This aligns with the functional model of disability, in providing a practical tool that allows individuals to participate in conversations and meetings without depending on separate interpreters or secondhand notes. Real-time captions expand opportunities for engagement in meetings and help ensure everyone is informed.
When meetings are recorded to the cloud, Zoom generates a text transcript that participants can revisit later. This benefits not only people with hearing disabilities but also people with ADHD or shorter attention spans, those who process information better through reading, or anyone who needs to review details after the meeting.
Following the social model of disability, this is an example of design where accessibility is built into the platform. By removing barriers in the digital environment, Zoom enables more equitable participation in schools, workplaces, and community events.
In recent years, following the pandemic, many in-person gatherings such as classes, work meetings, and conferences have shifted online. Zoom captions and transcripts remove barriers that prevent people who are hard of hearing from staying informed and participating in conversations across these settings. They also create benefits for people across different contexts, whether that is keeping up in a fast-paced lecture, understanding technical terminology in another language, or rewatching a presentation for clarity.
Of course, limitations remain, as accuracy depends on factors such as audio quality, background noise, and clarity of speech. Misinterpretations can create confusion, especially for those who rely entirely on captions. Control of captions can also be an issue, as the meeting host needs to enable captions for them to be available to attendees. Finally, while basic captions are available to users for free, advanced tools including translated captions are still limited to paid plans.