Video content is considered the most engaging content on social media and websites, so it is important to make sure they are accessible to all your users to increase your engagement. Video content is treated like a full electronic and information resource (EIR) product. It should conform with all WCAG 2.0 requirements.

The most common requirements involved in making videos and multimedia accessible include:

• Providing transcripts and/or closed captioning for individuals with hearing impairments and disabilities.
• Providing audio descriptions for individuals with vision impairments and disabilities.
• Avoid flashy visuals that may cause seizures.

References

Guides and How-To’s

• Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT)
• Usability.gov’s Web Standards and Usability Guidelines
  • Chapter 3: Accessibility
  • Chapter 14: Graphics, Images, and Multimedia
• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
  • Create transcripts and captions for multimedia
  • Provide sufficient contrast between foreground and background
  • Don’t use color alone to convey information
  • Include image and media alternatives in your design
  • Provide controls for content that starts automatically
• Web AIM
  • Captions, Transcripts and Audio Descriptions
  • Real-time Captioning

Guidelines

• WCAG 2.0 Guideline 1.2 – Time-based Media
• Understanding WCAG 2.0 Guideline 1.2
  • 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) Level A
  • 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) Level A
  • 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) Level A
  • 1.2.4 Captions (Live) Level AA
  • 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) Level AA
  • 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) Level AAA
  • 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) Level AAA
  • 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) Level AAA
  • 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) Level AAA
  • WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.3 – Seizures
• Understanding WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.3
  • 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold Level A
  • 2.3.2 Three Flashes Level AAA