Many video and audio platforms have built-in accessibility features intended to be checked during the creation of the file, so there are not many external tools and services geared towards testing this content. Services that are available typically require a paid subscription.

• There are too many commonly used audio/video platforms for us to meaningfully discuss the best practices for all. Instead, this is a general list of things to consider when checking media content for accessibility.
• Providing a text or audio-based alternative for visual information and a visual alternative for audio-based information is the key component of accessible media.

Video

Video often involves a visual and audio component and both of these components need to be included when considering accessibility. How users navigate or control the video should also be considered.

• As mentioned before, many video platforms have built-in features to assist you in attending to accessibility during the creation of the video.
• Youtube, for example, has options for captions, keyboard controls, and playback speed.

Audio Components of Video

Audio should be clear and of good quality. Speakers should speak slowly and clearly.

• Using good quality equipment and smaller spaces to record (to avoid echoes, background noise, etc.) will improve audio quality.
• Ensure captions and a transcript are available.
  • If the platform you are using doesn’t have this capability built in, you will need to find an alternative way to provide them, such as a link to a transcript or captions included in the video itself.
  • Keep in mind that automated captioning is not always accurate, and having a human edit or generate captions is better when possible.
  • There may be concerns regarding privacy/security when relying on AI services for captioning, so please consider this when using these kinds of services for captions.

Visual Components of Video

• A text or audio description of the video’s visual components should be available to users.
  • This could be a separate sound file that includes an audio description.
  • It could also be text attached to the video, for example, in the video’s description.
• If there is any text in the video, it should be easy to view.
  • Text should have sufficient color contrast.
  • Text should also be large enough that it is easy to read.
• Limit any flashing visuals or those that are too bright.
  • This can be distracting to some people, can be harmful for people with vestibular disorders, and blinking or flashing can cause seizures.

Video Controls

• Check to see if the video can be controlled with the keyboard alone. There should be a way to pause, rewind, fast forward, control volume, etc. by keyboard.
• If possible, playback speed should be adjustable so users can slow down or speed up the video.

Audio

Audio should be clear and of good quality. Speakers should speak slowly and clearly.

• Using good quality equipment and smaller spaces to record (to avoid echoes, background noise, etc.) will improve audio quality.
• Audio should be accompanied by captions and/or a transcript.
  • Keep in mind that automated captioning is not always accurate. Having a human edit or generate captions is better when possible.
  • There may be concerns regarding privacy/security when relying on AI services for captioning, so please consider this when using these kinds of services.
  • Alternatively, a video with a sign language interpretation could be included.
• Check to see if the audio controls can be controlled with the keyboard alone. Users should be able to pause, rewind, fast forward, control volume, etc. by keyboard.
• If possible, playback speed should be adjustable so users can slow down or speed up the video.

Images

Images that convey meaningful information need alternative text to describe that information. Alt text should provide the same information that the image is meant to convey, not just a description of the image with details that aren’t relevant or are already included in other text.

• Further Reading:
  • An alt Decision Tree
    A decision tree which helps you determine if alt text is needed. Focused on web content but the concepts are relevant to all alt text.
  • Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text | Section508.gov
    An article with information about the purpose of alt text, general guidance, and guidance for a variety of specific types of images.
  • WebAIM: Alternative Text
    An article which describes the purpose of alternative text and how to write context appropriate alternative text.
• Avoid images which contain text, when possible. If there is any overlay text on an image, it should be easy to view.
  • Text should have sufficient color contrast with the background color.
  • Text should be large enough that it is easy to read.
  • Text should be included in the alt text.

Navigating to Other Content Types

Use these links to continue (or return) to the other content types in this section:

• Core Concepts and Resources
• Web Content
• Word Processing
• Presentation Slides
• Spreadsheets
• Email