Relevant to: faculty, staff, and students
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Introduction
Ensuring video content is accessible is essential for creating an inclusive digital experience. People with disabilities—whether they are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, or cognitive disabilities—rely on a range of accessibility features to fully engage with multimedia content. This checklist is designed to help content creators, developers, and educators make sure their videos are usable by everyone, regardless of ability.
This checklist is designed to help content creators and faculty to meet accessibility best practices. It focuses on improving access for users with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor disabilities, following standards like WCAG 2.1 and Section 508.
Whether you're uploading a lecture, training video, or promotional content, use this guide to make sure your media is inclusive, discoverable, and usable across devices and assistive technologies.
Audio Accessibility
Captions/Subtitles
- Include accurate captions for all spoken content.
- Include non-speech audio (e.g., [music], [laughter], [door slams]).
- Sync captions with the audio timeline.
- Provide captions in the same language as the spoken content.
Transcripts
- Provide a full transcript of the video (dialogue + descriptions of key visuals).
- Ensure transcripts are easy to find and download or copy.
Sign Language Interpretation (if needed)
- Include a sign language interpreter in the video or as an optional overlay.
Visual Accessibility
Audio Descriptions
- Provide audio descriptions for key visual information (actions, scenes, text on screen).
- Use either a separate audio track or include in the main audio if timing allows.
High Contrast & Readable Text
- Ensure on-screen text contrasts well with the background.
- Use large, legible fonts with sufficient duration on screen.
Avoid Flashing/Strobing
- Avoid flickering or flashing more than 3 times per second to reduce risk of seizures.
Cognitive & General Accessibility
Simple and Clear Language
- Use plain language wherever possible.
- Avoid jargon or explain it clearly.
Clear Structure and Navigation
- Add chapters or timestamps for easy navigation.
- Use visual cues (titles, lower-thirds) to introduce new sections.
Control Over Playback
- Ensure the player allows for pause, rewind, fast-forward, volume control, and speed adjustment.
Platform & Technical Considerations
Accessible Video Player
- Ensure the video player supports keyboard navigation.
- Ensure compatibility with screen readers.
- Provide accessible controls with appropriate labels.
Mobile & Responsive Design
- Make sure video works well on various screen sizes and orientations.
Language & Localization
- Provide translations or subtitles in multiple languages if possible.
Summary
Making videos accessible involves more than just adding captions. It requires thoughtful attention to multiple aspects of the viewing experience—from visual clarity and audio narration to the accessibility of the video player itself. This checklist covers all the critical areas:
- Captions and transcripts ensure that spoken content is available in text form.
- Audio descriptions and visual clarity help users who rely on sound or need additional context for visuals.
- Keyboard and screen reader compatibility ensure that everyone can interact with the video controls.
- Optional features like sign language and avoiding auto-play further enhance accessibility.
By applying these best practices, you help create a more welcoming and usable digital space for all viewers.