Accessible Audio & Video

One of the first steps in making videos accessible is to ensure they have closed captions. While captions can be helpful for everyone, they are essential for people with hearing loss. 

Captions are a text version of the audio of a video that can be seen on a video player or screen. Captions should:

• Include other audio elements that are significant to the understanding of the video
• Include notations for who the speaker is and when speakers switch 
• Be timed with the speaker and leave enough time on screen to be read
• Be edited manually for accuracy

Can I Use Automated Captioning?

Although auto-captioning and AI-powered captioning have improved and will continue to improve, you should not rely on auto-generated captions. Regardless of the platform, automated captions must be carefully edited by a person. 

When automated captions are incorrect, those errors can completely change the meaning of the content or be incredibly embarrassing. When someone is completely reliant on captions to understand the content of the video or audio file, it is your responsibility to make sure those captions are correct. 

Captioning General Tips

• Do not rely on auto-generated captions - not even those with sophisticated artificial intelligence
• Correct spelling and other auto-correct issues
• Use proper punctuation and grammar - but do not correct a speaker’s grammar
• Do not include “um’s” or other filler words
• Use no more than two lines at a time, if possible
• Captions should be well synchronized with video

10 Tips for More Accessible Online Videos

1. Understand that all online videos must be accurately captioned. 
2. All audio-only files must also have a written transcription so that people with hearing loss can understand the content. 
3. Do not rely on automated captioning programs even if they use artificial intelligence. 
4. Learn how to edit captions in the tool you are using. 
5. Do not auto-play video or audio online. The audio interference with screen readers can be overly distracting. 

6. Create a budget line for accessibility in your video productions projects. 
7. Produce videos with accessibility in mind. 
8. High impact videos must also have an audio description if essential information is only conveyed visually. This can be done with a second video. 
9. Recruit students and other subject matter experts to help edit captions for technical videos. 
10. Prioritize what gets captioned (accommodation requests, critical to mission, number of viewers, etc.).