Video and Audio
On this page:
Summary
Providing captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts makes video and audio content accessible to a wider audience. These alternatives support users with disabilities and those who prefer or need text-based information.
Impact
Audio and video content are key components of online learning. However, without features like captions, transcripts, or audio descriptions, individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision may miss out on essential information. Offering these accessible options not only ensures equal access for people with disabilities but also benefits a wider audience—including those in environments where sound isn’t practical, non-native speakers, and users who want to quickly reference or search through content.
Dos and Don’ts
Do
- Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all video content.
- Carefully review and edit any captions generated through automatic speech recognition (YouTube, Panopto) for accuracy.
- Find third-party videos with accurate captions.
- If you love a video online that isn’t captioned, reach out to the content holder to request captions or find an alternative.
- Offer full transcripts of spoken content like podcasts, making information accessible for a wider audience, and supporting searchability.
- Include audio descriptions during your lectures that narrate key visual elements for users who are blind or have low vision.
Don’t
- Don’t rely solely on auto-generated captions without reviewing and correcting errors.
- Don’t use inaccessible media players or third-party content that lacks support for captions, keyboard navigation, or screen reader compatibility.
- Don’t substitute transcripts for captions in videos—transcripts are not timed and do not provide the same synchronized experience as captions.
