As a visually impaired content creator, making videos accessible is not just a box I need to check off my to do list; it’s deeply personal. Every day, millions of videos are uploaded, yet so many remain inaccessible to people like me. This is what drives me to share how to make videos more accessible and help people understand why it’s important. Through my latest video, I’ve shared 10 ways to make videos more accessible, drawing from my own experiences and the broader needs of the disabled community. However, these tips are not only for people with disabilities. Following these tips can make videos better and more enjoyable for everyone.
Here’s a TLDR, or the short version:
- Describe the visuals so someone who is just listening can follow along.
- Add accurate and clear captions for those who are deaf, hard-of hearing, and others who would benefit.
- Provide transcripts for better accessibility and understanding through text.
- Avoid rapid flashing in videos to prevent seizures and accommodate light-sensitive viewers. (Especially no more than 3 flashes per second.)
- Ensure clear audio to help everyone understand your content easily.
- Give viewers enough time to see and understand on-screen content.
- Use contrasting colors and clear lighting to help those with low vision.
- Choose simple, easy-to-read fonts for better readability.
- Add chapters to help viewers navigate your video content efficiently.
- Use accessible video players for those using assistive technologies.
1. Describe the Visuals
Explain what’s happening visually in a video for someone who can’t see it. For example, if there’s a scene where a cat jumps off a table, or a new product is being showcased, it’s crucial to describe these actions verbally. This approach enables individuals who are blind, like myself, to fully grasp the content being presented, ensuring no one misses out on the video’s full experience.
One of the most frustrating experiences for me and many others who are blind is when we play a video and all we hear is music. We have no idea what is on screen, what text is being shown, and don’t receive any value other than maybe a pleasant tune. Every industry creates videos like this from cooking videos to product highlights. It is a shame that even organizations and businesses that serve the blind community are guilty of this.
Audio description is often associated with a separate track on streaming services like Netflix or Disney+, where it can be turned on or off to help the visually impaired. However, incorporating audio description into your videos doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about making sure that if someone were listening to your video like a podcast, they would still understand everything that’s happening.
You probably don’t need to describe what a person is wearing or their hair color and style or explain what’s in the background unless it’s important to the message you’re trying to convey in the video. For example, If you are talking about fashion, perhaps it is important. However, if you’re showing how to use an application, those details are irrelevant and would only distract the viewer.
Speaking of tutorials, it’s important to note that saying “click there” or “click on this button” is not helpful when you aren’t able to see what the presenter is talking about. It’s always better to say what that button or link says so that it’s clear. Can they still follow the steps if the video wasn’t present?
It boils down to sharing the important information so that people are able to follow along just by listening.
2. Add Accurate Captions
Captions are essential for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It’s also beneficial for those who may not be familiar with the video’s language or who find it easier to process written words than spoken ones. It allows everyone, regardless of their auditory capabilities, to partake in the digital conversation.
Most platforms create auto-generated captions which can be helpful and is definitely better than nothing. However, it’s important to recognize that automatic captions, while a step in the right direction, often aren’t accurate and aren’t always clear. They frequently misinterpret words or phrases, omit punctuation, and can mislead or confuse viewers. Sometimes, they’re just completely wrong.
While you could manually type captions, it’s easier and faster to edit what was auto-generated. There are also professional captioning services and AI caption generators which usually do much better at captioning than most. AI is not perfect and you would still need to edit it for full accuracy! It also struggles with names. For example, my name is Carrie, spelled with an “i-e” at the end. When I run that through an AI, it doesn’t know that and spells it carry with a “y” at the end.
There’s a difference between captions that are overlaid on a video and closed captions. When closed captions are provided, users are able to adjust color settings and size independently. Closed captions are more accessible.
3. Provide Transcripts
Transcripts go hand in hand with captions, especially for educational or business content. They translate the audio part of your video into written form, which is incredibly useful for people who process text better than they do audio or video. This includes individuals who rely on Braille displays and those who are deafblind, making content more accessible than closed captions alone, which might not be as easily navigable with screen readers.
Including transcripts can also cater to a variety of preferences and needs, beyond just those related to accessibility. For some viewers, especially those in noisy environments or non-native speakers, reading a transcript could be a more effective way to understand the content and retain information. It’s about providing options so that all viewers, regardless of their situation or abilities, can access and engage with your video content in the way that works best for them.
From a creator’s perspective, adding transcripts is a smart move. It’s not just about doing the right thing for accessibility; it’s also about reaching a wider audience. Search engines can crawl text much easier than they can listen to videos, making your content more likely to be found.
It’s a win-win for everyone.
4. Reducing Flashing and Flickering
For viewers susceptible to seizures, minimizing flashing and flickering is non-negotiable. Make sure that there are less than three flashes per second. But beyond seizure prevention, reducing these elements is also important for people with low vision or light sensitivity.
Intense colors and bright lights, constant shifts from a light to a dark theme, and scenes with too many rapid cuts can cause dizziness, eye fatigue and eye strain. The content may be difficult to understand and viewers can be left disoriented.
It’s not that you always have to stick with a particular color palette or brightness level in your videos at all times. Simply be mindful that some people may be sensitive to quick visual changes.
5. Ensuring Clear Audio
Making sure your video has clear audio is really important. It’s all about helping everyone understand what you’re saying without straining. If there’s too much background noise or the music’s too loud, it can be tough for people to catch every word. So, picking a quiet spot to record and checking your mic setup can make a big difference.
Good audio quality is more than just having the right equipment; it’s about how you use it. Keeping background noise to a minimum and using a decent microphone can make your voice sound crisp and easy to listen to. And when you’re speaking, try to pace yourself. Talking too fast can make it hard for some people to keep up, especially if they’re relying on captions or sign language interpreters.
Remember that clear audio is a key part of making videos accessible, but it’s also about making them more enjoyable for everyone. When people can easily hear and understand what’s being said, they’re more likely to stay engaged and take away the message you’re sharing. It’s a simple step that can have a big impact, not just for making your content accessible, but for improving the overall quality of your videos. So, take the time to check your audio before you start recording and before you hit publish.
6. Give Viewers Enough Time
Giving viewers enough time to see and understand what’s on screen is important, especially when you’re sharing something like a quick tutorial or showcasing a product. If the visuals flash by too fast, it can be frustrating for anyone trying to follow along, including people who might pause the video to get a better look or those who are blind and rely on someone else or technology to describe the scene. It’s like when you’re trying to catch a glimpse of something interesting, but it disappears before you really get the chance to see it. That’s why it’s important to pace your content, allowing everyone enough time to absorb the information without having to constantly pause and rewind.
This approach not only makes your videos more accessible but also enhances the viewing experience for everyone. Think of it as giving your audience the courtesy of digesting the content at their own pace, which is particularly helpful for people who need a bit more time to understand or appreciate what you’re showing.
7. Paying Attention to Lighting and Contrast
Checking your lighting and contrast is key to making sure everyone can actually see what’s in your video. Dark scenes or poor contrast can be a real problem for people with low vision, making it hard for them to figure out what’s going on. It’s like trying to read a book in dim light; you can kind of make out the shapes, but the details are lost. So, when you’re making a video, think about how clear everything looks. If you’re showing text on the screen, pick colors that stand out from the background. This simple step helps ensure that what you want your audience to see actually gets seen.
For titles or any important info you’re displaying, having a solid contrast is crucial. Imagine putting light gray text on a white background; it’s going to be tough for a lot of people to read. If the background colors keep changing, consider adding a consistent, solid background behind your text. This way, no matter what’s happening in the video, your viewers can still read the information clearly. It’s about making sure everyone can follow along, regardless of what kind of screen they’re watching on or what their visual abilities are.
8. Choose Easy-to-Read Fonts
It’s not only about lighting or contrast. You want to also check your font style and font weight. Sans serif fonts are usually the easiest to read. Cursive and other fancier or more artistic font styles might look nice, but they can be a real headache to read, especially for people who have trouble with vision or dyslexia.
Font weight is something that often is overlooked. The color contrast may pass, but sometimes if it is a font that is too thin, it is still hard to read for someone with low vision. Sticking to clear, simple fonts like Arial or Verdana means everyone can easily understand your message without squinting or guessing what the words are.
9. Add Chapters and Sections
Adding chapters and sections to your videos is like giving your viewers a roadmap; it helps them navigate through the content easily, finding exactly what they need without having to scrub through the entire video. This is super helpful for everyone, making the video more user-friendly and reducing the frustration of searching for specific parts.
It’s a small effort on your part but a huge convenience for your audience, making your videos not just more accessible, but also easier to find. By organizing your content with clear markers, you’re enhancing the viewer’s experience, making it straightforward for them to jump to the sections that are relevant and interest them the most.
10. Use an Accessible Video Player
This is especially crucial for those who have their own website. Use an accessible video player so that everyone can enjoy your content. Ensure that people using assistive technologies like screen readers or voice control, can easily play, pause, and navigate your videos. Think of it as making the remote control easy to use for everyone, not just those who can see or use a mouse. This means having clearly labeled buttons and ensuring that keyboard shortcuts work well, so viewers aren’t left struggling to figure out how to watch your video.
You can implement all the other tips mentioned above, but if a user is not even able to access the video player, it may prevent them from even watching it.
Bonus: Share links of what is mentioned in videos
From ads and discount codes to recipes to periphery products and services mentioned, it is always helpful to add links to descriptions of videos. This benefits everyone. If a viewer is interested in something that is mentioned, it’s easy for them to learn more. Creators can use affiliate programs and earn fees and commissions for when viewers do so.
Accessibility is for everyone
Keeping these tips in mind don’t only make your videos more accessible for people with disabilities and those using assistive technologies- they make them accessible and more enjoyable for everyone.
This is not an exhaustive list, but is a great place to start. If you have some of your own tips for creators to keep in mind, feel free to share!