Video Conferencing Software Accessibility

This article compares video conferencing software accessibility so that faculty, staff, and students can choose the most appropriate software based on their needs and the platform's accessibility.

Software

Available to faculty and staff through UConn?

Option to Record?

Keyboard Accessibility/Shortcuts?

Automated Captioning/Subtitles?

Save Transcript?

Software

Available to faculty and staff through UConn?

Option to Record?

Keyboard Accessibility/Shortcuts?

Automated Captioning/Subtitles?

Save Transcript?

Blackboard Collaborate

Yes

Yes (main room only)

Supports with exceptions

Not currently, but is on roadmap

Yes, if there is a live captioner

Microsoft Teams

Yes

Yes

Supports with exceptions

Yes

Yes

Microsoft PowerPoint

Yes

No

Supports with exceptions

Yes

No

WebEx

Yes

Yes

Supports with exceptions

No

Yes

Zoom

No

Yes

Supports with exceptions

No

Yes, as long as cloud recording is enabled

 

"Supports with exceptions" means that some functionality of the solution does not meet accessibility criteria for keyboard accessibility and shortcuts. This does not mean that the solution is fully inaccessible, but it does mean that users need to be mindful of users with disabilities' needs and provide accessibility information when available. Accessibility information about each of the solutions referenced in the table is provided.

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