Provide equivalent alternatives for audio-visual content:
For D/deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Individuals:
- Video: Transcribe speech into captions or provide a transcript.
- Audio-Only: Provide a text transcript.
For Individuals with Vision Impairments:
- Video-Only: Describe the content in text so it can be accessed via a screenreader or braille display.
Captions and transcripts help everyone, especially in noisy environments or if the content isn't in the user's first language.
Checking for existing captions
- Make sure the video is easily identifiable. Make sure that a title or description is provided for the content i.e. A video of... If a transcript is provided, make it is easy for users to know that it is available and make it easy to access. For example, put the transcript itself or a link to the transcript directly under the video.
- Captions and Transcript. If there is spoken audio content in the video check that captions are provided.
- Open captions: play a part of the video which has speech, open captions will appear directly on the screen. You will also need to check they are accurate.
- Closed captions: you can usually find these in the bottom right hand side of the player. Look for the cc icon below. Play a part of the video with speech and turn them on to check if the captions appear.
- Transcript: Look for a linked file or similar with a text alternative.
Creating captions
- For help with creating captions on different platforms, please see the LEaD guidance on Accessible Multimedia.
- Automated captions should be accurate and corrected. You can request caption correction for MediaSpace videos on the IT Self Service Portal.
- Use a microphone to minimise background noise and improve automated caption accuracy.
Making accessible screencasts
When creating your recording you will also need to think about how it is presented and consider people who may not be able to see the screen fully. To make the screencast easy to follow and make it easier to see what is happening you can:
- Describe what is on the screen and what you are doing.
- Use an enhanced pointer.
- Change the size of your display.
- Change the screen resolution.
- Use good colour contrast if you are adding after-effects such as text, shapes and arrows.
See LEaD Light Lunch Tips for Online Presentations.