Accessible videos in 10 steps

Step 1: Making an accessible video starts with writing your script.

If you take all aspects into account from the start of the production process to make an accessible video, then nothing can go wrong. This means that when you create your script, you remember which steps to take. 

Step 2: Make sure the speaker speaks calmly and clearly.

If a speaker speaks calmly and clearly, you can be sure that he can be heard clearly in the video. It is also easier to subtitle the spoken text. You then have all the space to do it as accurately as possible.

Step 3: Make sure that the background sound is not too dominant so that the speakers can be heard clearly.

By balancing the volume of background noise and the speakers, you prevent people from being heard properly when they speak. But also make sure that the music or background noise is not too loud when there is no speaking. In this way, not only will the volume of the sounds be balanced throughout the video, but the audio description will also be clearly audible.

Step 4: Prevent rapid changes of images and flashes of light.

For people with epilepsy, for example, it is important that the video is not a trigger for an attack. By making sure there are no fast flashy changes in your video, you can prevent this.

Step 5: Make sure texts are large enough and with sufficient contrast.

If texts are shown on the screen, such as the names of speakers, they must be clearly legible. Make sure that the letters are large enough and that they contrast well with the background.

Step 6: Make sure that there is enough time to read visual texts aloud in the audio description.

People who are blind or visually impaired cannot read the explanatory texts in the picture or not properly. By showing the texts long enough, you ensure that there is enough time to read them in the audio description.

Step 7: Have speakers introduce themselves or leave space to introduce them in the audio description.

People who are blind or visually impaired also want to know who is speaking and what that person's role is, especially if that is relevant to understand the story properly. Make sure there is enough space for this to be read out in the audio description when it is brought into view. You can also choose to have the speaker introduce himself when he starts talking, then you don't have to include it in the audio description.

Step 8: Complete the narration captions with descriptions of essential sounds.

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is nice if essential sounds that are important to understand the story are described in the subtitles. In this way you ensure that they can also follow your video and that the message comes across completely.

Step 9: Offer a text alternative or transcript with your video

For people who for whatever reason don't want to watch a video, but want to know what it is about, it is important that there is an alternative. You can offer this by offering a text alternative of the video. It describes what the video is about, what is said in it and what can be seen in it. That way, someone can take in all the info without watching the video.

Step 10: Publish your video in an accessible player.

An accessible video is one thing, but people also need to be able to play it accessible. With an accessible video you make it possible for viewers to choose whether they want audio description, subtitles or gestures with their video. Or that they want to read the text alternative. With the video player from Scribit.Pro you are assured that you can show your video accessible if you have met all the above requirements.