Digital Accessibility Resource Center

Accessible video content ensures that all users, including individuals with disabilities, can access and engage with multimedia content. This guide outlines the key components of accessible video production and distribution.

Why Video Accessibility Matters

Accessible videos support compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, Section 508, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Making videos accessible also improves usability for all viewers, including those viewing content in noisy environments, using mobile devices, or learning in different ways.

1. Closed Captions

Closed captions display synchronized text for spoken dialogue and important sounds within a video. Captions benefit individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and improve comprehension for all users.

Captioning Best Practices

• Caption all spoken dialogue.
• Include relevant sound effects and speaker identification.
• Ensure captions are synchronized with the audio.
• Review auto-generated captions for accuracy.
• Use proper punctuation and sentence structure.

Helpful Resources

• W3C Captions Guide
• YouTube Captioning Tutorial

2. Transcripts

A transcript provides a text version of all spoken content and relevant audio information. Transcripts can be used independently of a video and are helpful for users who prefer reading or use assistive technologies.

Transcript Best Practices

• Include all spoken content.
• Identify speakers when multiple individuals are present.
• Describe meaningful sounds and audio cues.
• Provide transcripts in an accessible HTML or text format.
• Place transcripts near the video whenever possible.

Helpful Resources

• W3C Transcript Guidance
• Section 508 Captions and Transcripts

3. Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions provide narration of important visual information that is not conveyed through dialogue. They help individuals who are blind or have low vision understand visual elements essential to the content.

Audio Description Best Practices

• Describe important visual actions and events.
• Identify speakers, locations, and scene changes when necessary.
• Provide descriptions during natural pauses in dialogue.
• Ensure descriptions are concise and objective.
• Consider integrated descriptions during video production when possible.

Helpful Resources

• W3C Audio Description Guidance
• DCMP Audio Description Key

4. Accessible Media Players

Accessible media players allow users to interact with video content using keyboards, screen readers, captions, and other assistive technologies.

Accessible Media Player Requirements

• Keyboard-accessible controls.
• Support for captions and transcripts.
• Compatibility with screen readers.
• Visible focus indicators.
• Support for audio description tracks.
• Accessible play, pause, volume, and navigation controls.

Recommended Accessible Media Players

• Able Player
• Video.js
• YouTube Embedded Player
• Panopto

Video Accessibility Checklist

• ✓ Captions are available and accurate.
• ✓ Transcript is provided.
• ✓ Important visual information is described.
• ✓ Media player is keyboard accessible.
• ✓ Content does not flash more than three times per second.
• ✓ Text within videos has sufficient color contrast.
• ✓ Controls are clearly labeled for assistive technologies.
• ✓ Accessibility has been tested before publishing.

Applicable Standards

• WCAG 2.2 Success Criteria for Multimedia
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act