Is it easy though? I had a professor do it for his own videos because ‘it is easy’; it is a horror show; everything is badly out of sync etc. I don’t think it’s easy for an average person at all. I am a programmer but I have 2 left hands where it comes to video or photo editing and then it gets expensive fast. People here saying ‘it costs only $150/hr to fix’ probably don’t provide anything free nor have a small business. Throwing 1000s against something that will never make you a penny but is a hobby/something you like because of some lawyers is insanity.
I for instance script my videos, so I have the subtitles already, I just have no way of putting them in so I provide the transcript. Which seems fine for people.
I can't speak to your professor, but we regularly have many dozens of films subtitled and so far we've had sterling results and no complaints from our audience.
Agreed with the cost impact on a small business or nonprofit. We make money on the films so it's a no-brainer for us (and is legally required in places like Canada).
I for instance script my videos, so I have the subtitles already, I just have no way of putting them in so I provide the transcript. Which seems fine for people.