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Audio Descriptions default ON in embedded player on webpage
Sian Edwardson
Tyro
Hi has anyone else found that embedded recordings with Audio Descriptions added now play those descriptions automatically on the page - default on ? We cannot find a way to have them default off with the option for the user to play them if they require - see the embedded video on this page : https://www.bangor.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/psychology
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Hey Sian!
Thanks for bringing this up. Our engineering team is already aware and looking into this. We don't have an ETA on when this will be resolved, but keep an eye on our release notes for updates!
https://community.panopto.com/categories/release-notes
It would be great if Panopto could address this. Audio descriptions are very helpful for people with visual accommodation needs, and are required by the recent ADA Title II ruling as of April 24, 2026. However, audio descriptions can also be highly disruptive or frustrating for viewers or students who want to watch the video without the audio-description interruptions. For embedded media, it would be great if embed code toggles for setting the state of the features, like captions and audio descriptions, can be set to true or false to allow the instructor or creator to set the default as desired. If it would help, or be feasible, an additional tactic could be, for institutional Panopto users with accounts, perhaps each user can set a personal preference in a profile setting? This way, after authentication, an embed might check the default code but override with the user's personal preference if set? Just brainstorming on how to provide an excellent user experience. Thank you for listening, and thank you, Sian, for posting!
Thanks for bringing this back up, Alan!
The context for how this affects your users is extremely helpful in prioritizing it. Additionally, I love that you went the extra mile to give us some examples on how we might be able to work around this!
Currently, the expected behavior is that the Creator can choose if captions or audio descriptions are on/off for their embedded video. Similarly, we're looking into options to have these settings remembered either at the account level or via a site default.
Right now, we don't have an update on resolving the issue where audio descriptions are "on" by default in embedded players. That said, I did pass all of this along to our team. They'll take your feedback and suggestions under consideration while we work toward a resolution.