Accessible Video: A Practical Approach to WCAG Compliance

Why Accessible Video Matters

Accessible videos reach wider audiences, improve engagement metrics, and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to inclusion.

For public utilities, government agencies, and regulated industries, accessible video content is not just a best practice–it’s often a legal requirement. These organizations must ensure their multimedia content is accessible to:

• People who are deaf or hard of hearing
• People who are blind or have low vision
• People with cognitive disabilities who benefit from multiple information formats
• People who speak different languages

WCAG Requirements for Video Content

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) include several specific success criteria for multimedia content:

WCAG 2.1 Level A Requirements

• 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): Provide alternatives for time-based media
• 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded): Provide captions for all prerecorded audio content
• 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Provide audio descriptions or a text alternative
• 1.4.2 Audio Control: If any audio plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, provide a mechanism to pause, stop, or control the volume independently from the overall system volume
• 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold: Ensure videos do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one-second period
• 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A) and 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A): Ensure that video player controls are fully keyboard accessible and properly labeled for screen readers

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Requirements

• 1.2.4 Captions (Live): Provide captions for all live audio content
• 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded): Provide audio descriptions for all prerecorded video content

WCAG 2.1 Level AAA Requirements

• 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded): Provide sign language interpretation
• 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded): Provide extended audio descriptions
• 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Provide a text alternative for all prerecorded content
• 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live): Provide a text alternative for live audio-only content

Most organizations aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, which requires both captions and audio descriptions for prerecorded video content.

Essential Features for Accessible Video (WCAG Level A & AA)

Closed or Open Captions

Captions display the audio content of a video as text on screen, including dialogue and relevant non-speech information. Closed captions allow the user to toggle them on and off while open captions are burned into the video.

Technical Requirements

• Synchronized: Captions must be synchronized with the corresponding audio
• Equivalent: All speech and essential non-speech sounds must be captioned
• Accessible: Captions must be available to users without interfering with the video
• Accurate: Content must be correctly transcribed with proper spelling and punctuation

Implementation Best Practices

1. Caption Placement: Position captions to avoid covering important visual content
2. Speaker Identification: Identify who is speaking when multiple speakers are present
3. Non-Speech Information: Include relevant sound effects, music descriptions, and emotional cues in brackets (e.g., [laughing], [phone ringing])
4. Background Noise: Include significant background audio that contributes to understanding
5. Formatting: Use proper capitalization, punctuation, and timing

Multiple Format Support

For maximum compatibility, consider providing captions in multiple formats:

• WebVTT (.vtt): Standard format for HTML5 video
• SRT (.srt): Widely supported subtitle format
• Embedded/Open Captions: Permanently burned into the video for platforms without caption support

Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions provide verbal narration of key visual information for blind or low-vision users.

Technical Requirements

• Essential Information: Describe visual elements critical to understanding the content
• Timing: Descriptions should fit into natural pauses without overlapping dialogue
• Clarity: Use clear, concise language that doesn’t interpret or editorialize

Implementation Approaches

1. Standard Audio Description: Descriptions added during natural pauses in dialogue
2. Extended Audio Description: Video temporarily pauses to allow for more detailed descriptions
3. Integrated Description: Script and production designed from the outset to minimize the need for added descriptions

Common Elements to Describe

• Setting changes
• Physical actions not implied by dialogue
• Text displayed on screen
• Significant facial expressions and gestures
• Scene transitions
• Identification of new speakers

Enhanced Features for Accessible Video (WCAG Level AAA)

Transcripts

Transcripts provide a text version of all audio content, plus descriptions of visual elements essential to understanding.

Technical Requirements

• Complete: Include all dialogue and relevant non-speech audio
• Descriptive: Include important visual information
• Structured: Use proper formatting to enhance readability
• Accessible: Available in an accessible format (HTML preferred over PDF)

Implementation Best Practices

1. Sequential Order: Present information in the same order as the video
2. Speaker Identification: Clearly identify speakers
3. Timestamp Integration: Consider adding timestamps for longer content
4. Keyword Enhancement: Include keywords that may be spoken but misspelled or unclear

Sign Language Interpretation

Ssign language interpretation greatly enhances accessibility for deaf users who prefer sign language over text.

Implementation Approaches

1. Picture-in-Picture: Interpreter appears in a small window overlaid on the main video
2. Side-by-Side: Split-screen approach with interpreter on one side and content on the other
3. Integrated Interpreter: Interpreter is part of the original production

Best Practices

1. Appropriate Size: Ensure the interpreter window is large enough to see clearly
2. Proper Contrast: Provide strong contrast between the interpreter and background
3. Regional Considerations: Use the appropriate sign language variant for your audience (e.g., ASL in the US, BSL in the UK)

Multilingual Accessibility Considerations

For organizations serving diverse linguistic communities, consider providing:

• Captions in multiple languages
• Dubbed audio tracks
• Transcripts in multiple languages
• Sign language interpretation in the primary sign language of your target audience

This is particularly important for utility companies and government agencies serving multilingual communities but not required by WCAG.

Quality Assurance for Accessible Videos

Before publishing, verify that your video content meets accessibility standards:

Checklist

1. Caption Quality:
   • Are all words accurately captioned?
   • Is non-speech information included?
   • Are speakers identified when necessary?
   • Is timing synchronized properly?
2. Audio Description Adequacy:
   • Are all essential visual elements described?
   • Do descriptions fit naturally within pauses?
   • Is the description narration clear and objective?
3. Player Accessibility:
   • Are all player controls keyboard accessible?
   • Does the player support screen readers?
   • Can captions be customized (size, color, font)?
4. Transcript Availability (Level AAA):
   • Is the transcript complete and accurate?
   • Is it available in an accessible format?
   • Does it include both audio and visual information?

Cost-Effective Implementation Strategies

Creating accessible video doesn’t have to break your budget. Here are practical approaches based on real-world implementation:

Planning for Accessibility

• Budget Integration: Include accessibility costs in initial project budgets rather than trying to find funds later
• Script Preparation:
  • Avoid jargon and speak plainly when possible
  • Plan for spoken description of on-screen visual content (especially when critical to understanding)
• Inclusive Storyboarding:
  • Plan for diverse representation
  • Include on-screen text hierarchy and contrast planning
• Voiceover and Actor Direction: Ensure clarity, moderate pace, and natural tone for screen reader–friendly narration
• Audio Quality Standards:
  • Minimize background noise
  • Use professional mic placement and leveling to support clarity and transcription accuracy
• Visual Accessibility:
  • Use high-contrast visuals
  • Avoid rapid flashes and unnecessary movement
  • Ensure text on screen meets minimum size and contrast standards
  • Plan caption placement to avoid blocking visuals

Cost-Efficient Production/Post

• Caption Creation:
  • Use automatic transcription services as a starting point, then edit for accuracy
  • Include speaker IDs and relevant sounds, e.g., music, laughter
• Strategic B-Roll: Use supportive visuals that reinforce the narration, reducing the need for extensive audio description
• Phased Implementation: Start with high-quality captions, then add additional accessibility features as resources allow for example ASL interpretations and multi-lingual captions
• Audio Descriptions: Add standard or extended audio description track if visuals are essential to understanding
• Transcripts (Level AAA):
  • Deliver full text transcript, including both narration and meaningful visual descriptions
  • Offer transcripts as downloadable PDFs or HTML pages
• On-Screen Text:
  • Ensure readable fonts, correct timing, and contrast
  • Avoid too much on-screen text at once

Scalable Production Tactics

• Reusable Templates: Develop standard accessible video templates for recurring content types
• Style Guides: Create guidelines for consistent caption formatting and audio description narration across projects
• Multilingual Format Presets: Set up preset layouts for open captions, dubbed audio, and sign language interpretation in multiple languages

Service Provider Selection

When selecting a video production company for accessible video services, consider:

• Experience with similar organizations
• Familiarity with WCAG requirements
• Quality assurance processes
• Turnaround times
• Cost structure

Accessible Video Player Requirements

WCAG Level A compliant video requires more than just captions and descriptions–the video player itself must also be accessible.

Technical Requirements

• Full keyboard operability of all controls without requiring specific timings for keystrokes
• Proper focus indicators that make it clear which control is currently selected
• ARIA labels or proper HTML semantics for all controls so screen readers can identify them
• Volume controls independent from system volume
• Caption display customization (size, color, font when possible)

Implementation Best Practices

• Test player controls with keyboard-only navigation (Tab, Enter, Space, Arrow keys)
• Verify screen reader identification of all controls using NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
• Ensure that keyboard focus doesn’t get trapped in the video player
• Provide visible focus indicators that meet contrast requirements
• Choose players with built-in accessibility features when possible (e.g., modern HTML5 players)

Technical Implementation of Captions for Different Platforms

Self-Hosted Videos

For videos hosted on your own website:

<video controls>
  <source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  <track kind="captions" src="captions.vtt" srclang="en" label="English" default>
  <track kind="descriptions" src="descriptions.vtt" srclang="en" label="Audio Descriptions">
  <track kind="subtitles" src="spanish.vtt" srclang="es" label="Español">
</video>

YouTube

YouTube offers automatic caption generation, but these require careful editing for accuracy. To meet WCAG requirements:

1. Upload your own caption file or edit the auto-generated captions
2. Add translated captions for multilingual access
3. For audio descriptions, either:
   • Upload a separate version with integrated audio descriptions
   • Provide a link to a described version hosted elsewhere

Social Media Platforms

Most social media platforms now support closed captions:

• Facebook: Upload SRT files or use automatic captioning tools
• Twitter: Add captions when uploading videos directly
• Instagram: Use the caption feature available in the app
• LinkedIn: Upload SRT files with your video content

For platforms with limited accessibility features, consider using open captions permanently embedded in the video.

Conclusion

Creating accessible video content is not just about compliance–it’s about ensuring your message reaches everyone in your community. By implementing captions, audio descriptions, transcripts, and potentially sign language interpretation, you can create inclusive communication that serves all users while meeting WCAG requirements and boosting SEO.

For utilities, government agencies, and organizations serving the public, accessible video demonstrates your commitment to inclusion while helping you meet legal obligations. The investment in accessibility pays dividends through wider reach, better engagement, and improved service to your entire community.

This guide provides general information and should not be construed as legal advice. Organizations should consult with qualified legal professionals for specific guidance on compliance requirements.