Multimedia

Multimedia content (audio, video, and animations) can make websites engaging, but it must be accessible to all users. Accessibility ensures equal access to information, regardless of how it’s presented.

Why Multimedia Accessibility Matters

  • People who are deaf or hard of hearing need captions or transcripts
  • People who are blind or have low vision rely on audio descriptions
  • People with cognitive disabilities benefit from clear controls and options to pause/stop
  • Everyone benefits from captions in noisy or quiet environments

Requirements for Accessible Mutlimedia

  • Provide synchronized captions for all spoken dialogue and important sounds in videos
  • Captions should identify speakers and include relevant sound effects
  • Avoid relying on auto-generated captions without review

  • Provide a text transcript for audio-only and video content, which includes speechm sound effects, and important visual details

  • Offer audio descriptions for video content that conveys important visual details (ex: actions, settings, expressions)
  • Can be built into the video or provided as an alternative version

  • Provide accessible play, pause, volume, and seek controls
  • Ensure controls are keyboard operable
  • Avoid auto-playing audio/video as it can be disorienting to users

  • Do not use content that flashes more than 3 times per second
  • Provide warnings for strobe or flashing effects
  • Follow WCAG guidelines to prevent seizures

General Practices

  • Always include captions and transcripts for prerecorded content
  • Provide live captions for live-streamed events where possible
  • Give users control by avoiding autoplay, looping video/audio, and providing accessible controls
  • Use accessible media players
  • Consider bandwidth by providing a download options for users with slow internet

WCAG Success Critieria

Provide transcripts or audio description alternatives

Captions for prerecorded video

Alternative for video content

Live captions for real-time media

Audio descriptions for video

Users can pause, stop, or hide moving media

No seizure-triggering content

Resources

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