Creating Accessible Video & Audio

Videos and audio recordings are commonly used to share information, support learning, communicate with families, and provide training. Whether you’re recording a lesson, creating a tutorial, sharing a school announcement, hosting a webinar, or producing a podcast, accessibility should be considered from the beginning. Creating accessible video and audio content involves more than making it easy to watch or listen to. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, or use assistive technology may access multimedia content differently. Features such as accurate captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, clear narration, and accessible playback controls help ensure everyone can access and understand important information.

Below are tips for creating accessible video and audio, applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL), sharing content on websites, and additional resources for program-specific guidance.

Provide Accurate Captions

Add synchronized captions to videos with meaningful audio, including spoken words, speaker identification when needed, and important sounds.

Review Automatic Captions

Check automatically generated captions for accuracy, punctuation, timing, names, and technical terms, and correct errors before publishing.

Provide Transcripts

Include accessible transcripts for audio-only content and provide transcripts for video content when needed to make information available in an alternative format.

Describe Important Visual Information

Explain essential actions, demonstrations, charts, text, and other visual information through narration or provide audio descriptions when important details cannot be understood from the existing audio.

Use Clear Audio

Record in a quiet environment, speak clearly at a comfortable pace, and minimize background noise or music that competes with speech.

Make On-Screen Text Readable

Use large, readable text, sufficient color contrast, and simple layouts, and allow enough time for viewers to read important information.

Don't Rely on Color or Sound Alone

Use spoken explanations, text, labels, or other accessible cues so important information is not communicated only through color, visual changes, or sounds.

Use Accessible Media Players

Choose video and audio players that support keyboard navigation, screen readers, captions, and accessible playback controls.

Make Interactive Videos Accessible

Ensure questions, buttons, embedded activities, and other interactive video features can be accessed and completed using a keyboard and assistive technology.

Consider Live Events & Recordings

Enable appropriate live captioning and other required communication supports for virtual meetings, webinars, and livestreams, and review captions before sharing recordings.

Avoid Flashing and Distracting Effects

Avoid flashing content, rapid visual changes, and unnecessary animations that may create accessibility barriers or distract from important information.

Communicate a Clear Purpose

Explain what viewers or listeners should learn, understand, or be able to do.

Keep Content Focused

Organize information into manageable sections and avoid including unnecessary details that distract from the main message.

Provide Multiple Ways to Access Information

Offer accessible text, transcripts, visuals, or other formats that allow individuals to review information in different ways.

Use Visuals with Purpose

Include demonstrations, graphics, and examples that support understanding rather than simply adding decoration.

Support Different Learning Needs

Use clear language, explain unfamiliar terms, provide examples, and connect new information to prior knowledge.

Give Viewers Control

When possible, allow individuals to pause, replay, adjust playback speed, and review content at their own pace.

Encourage Active Engagement

Include opportunities to reflect, respond to questions, practice skills, or apply information.

Provide Supporting Materials

Share outlines, notes, key takeaways, or related resources to help individuals review and reinforce important information.

Use Accessible Media Players

Choose embedded video and audio players that support keyboard navigation, captions, screen readers, and accessible playback controls.

Use Accessible Media Players

Choose embedded video and audio players that support keyboard navigation, captions, screen readers, and accessible playback controls.

Include Captions & Transcripts

Make accurate captions available for prerecorded videos with meaningful audio, provide transcripts for audio-only recordings, and include additional text alternatives when needed.

Avoid Automatic Playback

Allow visitors to start media when they are ready, and avoid automatically playing audio or video that may interfere with screen readers or other activities.

Avoid Automatic Playback

Allow visitors to start media when they are ready, and avoid automatically playing audio or video that may interfere with screen readers or other activities.

Use Meaningful Links & Titles

Give videos and audio recordings descriptive titles, and use meaningful link text that clearly identifies the content or destination.

Check Playback Across Devices

Test embedded videos and audio recordings on different devices and with keyboard navigation to ensure controls, captions, and other accessibility features work as intended.

General Resources

These resources provide practical guidance for creating accessible videos and audio recordings.

Resources by Platform

Explore the resources below for platform-specific guidance, tools, and instructions to help you create accessible digital content. Accessibility features and options may vary depending on the platform, device, or application version.

Communications