Why Video Accessibility Matters
Accessible videos ensure that all students, staff, and community members can engage with educational content regardless of hearing, visual, or cognitive disabilities. Proper captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts create inclusive learning experiences that benefit everyone, including English language learners and users in noisy or quiet environments.
Core Video Accessibility Features
📝 Captions
Synchronized text that displays all spoken content, sound effects, and music descriptions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
🔊 Audio Descriptions
Narration that describes important visual elements, actions, and scene changes for blind and visually impaired users.
📄 Transcripts
Full text versions of all audio content, including dialogue, sound effects, and visual descriptions.
⌨️ Keyboard Controls
All video player functions must be operable via keyboard without requiring a mouse or touch interface.
Captions must be synchronized, accurate, and include all audio content including dialogue, sound effects, music, and speaker identification.
Good Example
Principal Johnson speaking
[Principal Johnson]: Welcome to our fall semester. [applause] [upbeat music plays]
Includes speaker identification, sound effects, and music
Avoid This
Principal Johnson speaking
Welcome to our fall semester
Missing speaker ID, sound effects, and music descriptions
Audio descriptions provide narration of important visual information during natural pauses in dialogue, helping blind users understand visual content.
Good Example
Science experiment demonstration
Teacher pours blue liquid into beaker, causing bubbling reaction
Audio track describes visual actions and results
Avoid This
Science experiment demonstration
Now let's see what happens...
No description of visual experiment or results
Provide full text transcripts that include all dialogue, audio descriptions, sound effects, and musical descriptions in a readable format.
Good Example
TRANSCRIPT: "Welcome to Hanover School District"
[0:00] [Upbeat music begins]
[0:03] Principal Johnson: Welcome to our fall semester orientation.
[0:07] [Scene shows students entering building]
[0:10] We're excited to have all our students back.
[0:15] [Bell rings in background]
[0:18] Let's review the new safety procedures...
Avoid This
Welcome to our fall semester orientation. We're excited to have all our students back. Let's review the new safety procedures...
Missing timestamps, speaker IDs, and audio descriptions
All video player controls (play, pause, volume, captions, full screen) must be accessible via keyboard navigation with visible focus indicators.
Good Example
Video Player
⏯️ Space = Play/Pause | ⬅️➡️ = Seek | C = Captions | F = Fullscreen
Keyboard shortcuts clearly documented and functional
Avoid This
Video Player
Mouse-only controls
No keyboard support or focus indicators
Avoid autoplay videos with sound, and ensure no content flashes more than 3 times per second to prevent seizures and reduce distractions.
Good Example
▶️ Click to Play
User controls when video starts
No autoplay, user initiates video playback
Avoid This
🔊 AUTO-PLAYING
⚡ FLASHING CONTENT ⚡
Autoplay with sound disrupts users and screen readers
Offer videos in multiple formats and qualities, with options for caption languages and audio description tracks to serve diverse user needs.
Good Example
Multi-Format Player
CC: EN/ES | AD: ON | Quality: 720p
Multiple caption languages and audio description options
Avoid This
Single Format
English only, no options
Limited accessibility options exclude users
WCAG Compliance Levels for Video
Level A (Minimum)
- Captions for prerecorded videos
- Audio descriptions OR full transcript
- Keyboard accessible controls
- No autoplay with sound
Level AA (Standard)
- Captions for live videos
- Audio descriptions for prerecorded videos
- No flashing content (3+ per second)
- Sufficient color contrast in video UI
Level AAA (Enhanced)
- Audio descriptions for live video
- Sign language interpretation
- No flashing content (3+ per second, stricter)
- Extended audio descriptions when needed
Additional Video Accessibility Tips
- Test video accessibility with actual users who rely on assistive technologies
- Ensure video thumbnails and titles are descriptive and meaningful
- Provide chapter markers or video segments for easier navigation
- Include speaker names in captions when multiple people are speaking
- Use high contrast colors in video graphics and overlays
- Consider providing simplified or summarized versions for complex content
- Make transcripts searchable and downloadable in multiple formats
- Regularly review and update automatic captions for accuracy
- Train staff on accessibility best practices for video content creation
