Best Practices for Delivering Accessible Video Content

Presenting video content in an accessible way is crucial to ensure that people with disabilities

can fully engage with and understand the information. Here are some best practices for making

video content accessible:


1. Provide Closed Captions (CC):

• Include accurate and synchronized captions for all spoken content, including dialogue,

narration, and relevant sound effects.

• Ensure that captions are easy to read, with good contrast and proper formatting.

2. Transcripts:

• Offer a text transcript of the video content.

• Ensure the transcript includes all spoken words, relevant sounds, and descriptions of

important visuals.

3. Audio Descriptions:

• Include audio descriptions to convey visual information for those with visual

impairments.

• Describe important visual details, actions, and scenes during pauses in the audio.

4. Contrast and Visual Design:

• Ensure sufficient colour contrast for text and graphics to make it readable for

individuals with visual impairments.

5. Avoid Flashing or Rapidly Changing Content:

• Minimize the use of flashing or rapidly changing content, as it can be problematic for

individuals with photosensitive epilepsy or other sensory sensitivities.

6. Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG):

• Adhere to the WCAG guidelines, which provide a comprehensive set of

recommendations for making web content, including video, accessible to a wide

range of people with disabilities.

7. Educate Content Creators:

• Train content creators and video producers on the importance of accessibility and

provide guidelines on creating accessible content from the outset.

8. Provide Alternative Formats:

• Offer alternative formats for your video content, such as downloadable audio versions

or accessible PDFs. This allows users to choose the format that best suits their needs.

9. Accessible Player Controls:

• Enable users to control video playback, volume, and other settings easily.

• Ensure that users can pause, play, and adjust settings using keyboard shortcuts.

10. Keyboard Accessibility:

• Design your video player and website to be navigable using a keyboard. This is

essential for individuals who rely on keyboard navigation or screen readers.

11. Test with Accessibility Tools:

• Test your video content with accessibility tools and screen readers to identify and

address potential issues. This helps ensure that your content is compatible with a

variety of assistive technologies.

12. User Feedback:

• Encourage feedback from users with disabilities to improve the accessibility of your

video content. Real-world feedback can help identify areas for improvement that may

not be immediately apparent.

13. Consider Multiple Learning Styles:

• Recognize that people have different learning styles, and providing a combination of

visual, auditory, and text-based information can enhance accessibility for a broader

audience.

14. Consider Bandwidth and Loading Times:

• Provide options for users with slower internet connections to access the content

easily.

• Consider offering multiple video quality options.

By implementing these practices, you can ensure that your video content is inclusive and

accessible to a diverse audience, including people with disabilities.