Making video and audio media accessible
Videos on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app website must provide captions and transcripts
- Captions - text version of the speech and non-speech audio information needed to understand the content. They are synchronized with the audio and usually shown in a media player when users turn them on. Videos hosted on ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app's official YouTube channel will have captions automatically generated. The automatic captions are not perfect, so you need to check and amend them as needed.
- Transcript - A text version of the speech, non-speech audio, and a description of visual information needed to understand the video content.
- Audio description is essential if providing audio-only content (e.g. music score).
Captions should include:
- All words spoken by characters (including stuttering etc).
- Words spoken by a narrator.
- The words to any song.
- Identification for off-screen speakers.
- Descriptions of sound events that impact the story or meaning.
Captions do not need to include:
- Every word or sound effect where the pace of a video sometimes makes it impractical.
- Information that is already displayed on the screen, e.g. text in a PowerPoint slide.
Accessible media is essential for people with disabilities and beneficial to all
Captions can be used
- In loud environments where users cannot hear the audio or in quiet environments where users cannot turn on sound.
- By people who may not understand the spoken language well or are not native speakers of the language.
Transcripts can be
- Skimmed or read before deciding whether to watch the video.
- Accessed without using data to play or download videos.
- More easily translated to other languages, including Braille.
- Used offline, printed, or read at own pace.
- Accessed by search engines.
More things you can do
- Always use videos as a complementary channel to enhance written information.
- Disable auto-play.
Resources and further information
- Planning or producing audio or video content - refer to