Important: Only the Host can assign a captioner

Before you get started, it's important to remember that only the Host of the Zoom Meeting can assign the captioner for the event. Co-hosts will not have this feature. 

How to assign the captioner 

  1. Once the Host has joined the Zoom meeting, if you are using the waiting room feature, you will want to admit the captioner for the event. The captioner's name should have been provided to you by the HR office, who books the real-time captioner for the event. 
  2. Once the person as been admitted, you will need to select the up arrow next to right of the CC button, which is labeled "More options for captions" for screen reader users. 
    Screenshot of Zoom control menu with the More options for Captions menu expanded.
  3. Once the up arrow (or More options for captions) button is selected, a menu will appear with two sections: Captions and Host Controls.
  4. Hover over or tab to Set Up Manual Captioner. The Enable Manual Captioner controls will appear. 
    Screenshot of Enable manual captioner menu with On and Off buttons for the Enable manual captioner and two otehr sections: Assign someone to type and Use a 3rd party CC service.
  5. Select the On radio button under Enable manual captioner. 
  6. Select the Assign a participant to type button under the Assign someone to type section. The participants panel will open.
  7. Find the participant you would like to make the captioner in the participant list. 
  8. Hover over or tab to their name and select the More button. 
    More menu expanded with Assign to Type Closed Captions highlighted by the computer mouse.
  9. Select Assign to Type Closed Captions under the More dropdown menu. A CC icon will appear to the right of the captioner's name. 
    A blue CC button appears next to a participant's name.
  10. Have the captioner test quickly to ensure they are all set. 

Watch the Training

We've also recorded these step-by-step instructions for anyone that prefers video instructions.