What

Accessibility barriers in videos

  • Missing audio descriptions - People who are deaf or hard of hearing miss out on the content without audio descriptions providing narrated explanations of what's happening on screen.
  • Lack of captions or subtitles - This barrier affects both deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and those who prefer to read information visually.
  • Poor colour contrast - Low contrast between text or elements and the background can make them difficult to see, especially for people with visual impairments.
  • Unclear visuals - Lack of visual cues or reliance on audio for key information excludes viewers who are blind or have low vision.
  • Missing transcripts - These provide a textual alternative to the entire video content, benefiting both deaf/hard-of-hearing and visual impairment audiences.

Why

It makes sense to be inclusive. Sites that don't have accessible material will be missing out on a huge potential audiences.

How

Making videos accessible

  • Add audio descriptions - These can be professionally recorded or generated automatically using AI tools.Ensure they describe visuals, actions, and sound effects accurately and concisely.
  • Include captions and subtitles - Use accurate and timely captions synced with the audio. Choose clear and readable fonts with sufficient contrast.
  • Maintain good colour contrast - Follow WCAG guidelines for colour contrast between text/elements and background.
  • Utilise clear visuals - Include clear close-ups, avoid excessive camera movement, and provide visual cues (e.g.,text overlays) for important information.
  • Offer transcripts - Transcripts provide a full textual version of the video content, including dialogue, audio descriptions, and speaker identifications.

Additional accessibility considerations

  • Keyboard navigation - Ensure video players are navigable using keyboards for users who don't use a mouse.
  • Seizure prevention - Avoid flashing lights or rapid transitions that could trigger seizures.
  • Sign language interpretation - Consider incorporating sign language interpreters for presentations or educational videos.