Steps to creating accessible videos
1. Create accessible video content
- Use colors thoughtfully and with good contrast
- Use text that is easy to read
- Avoid fast-flashing content
2. Choose a current video format for the web
- the format of the video file can have a big impact on its usability for everyone
- Before creating a video determine if the format the file will be delivered in is current enough to load and play seamlessly.
3. Choose an accessible video player
- Ensure the video player supports captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions.
- Be screen reader and keyboard accessible
- Ensure videos do not play automatically when the webpage loads.
4. Caption
- Captions are text alternatives of the audio content
- YouTube and Facebook have specific captioning options available
- Captions should not be confused with subtitles
Captions should be:
-Synchronized
-Equivalent
-Consistent
-Clear
-Readable
Benefits of captioning videos
-Captions help you increase your viewer base
-Captions help when watching videos in loud environments
-Captions improve the search engine optimization
-Captions can be closed or open
5. Transcript
Transcripts can be thought of as text versions of your video.
Options for creating a transcript:
-Format and reuse captions
-Use professional transcribing services
-Use a speech recognition software
-Manually type up the content
6. Audio description
- Help fill in the missing information for someone who can’t see what’s being displayed.
- Supplements the regular audio track of a program
- Usually added during existing pauses in dialogue
- Also called “video description” and “descriptive narration”
Pros & Cons of Synthesized Speech
Pros:
- Extremely cost-effective compared to paying a human voice actor
- Shorter production/turnaround time
- Easy to make edits post-production
- Control over voice output settings
- Screen reader users are familiar with a synthesized voice
Cons:
- Doesn’t portray tone and emotion as a human would
- No subjective input from voice actors (exact dictation from script)
- Pronunciation isn’t exactly the same as a human
7. Sign Language
- Provide sign language when your audience needs it