Audio Description - Easy Checks
What is Audio Description?
Description of visual information is called audio description, video description, or described video in different countries.
Audio description explains the visual information needed to understand video content. For example, “Pat opens a small box, looks at a diamond engagement ring, and cries”.
Audio description can be provided as:
- integrated description — description is included in the main speakers’ scripts
- alternative video — description is included in a separate video
- separate file — description is in a timed text file or synched audio file that is supported by the media player
For example,
- Integrate:
- Alternative video:
These videos are also available from the W3C website: training video (web page), story video (MP4 file size 28MB).
Who depends on Audio Description?
People who are blind, some people with low vision, and others who cannot see the video adequately depend on description of visual information in videos.
Checking Audio Description
- Check if description is needed. Are there visual elements that are important to understand the video?
- If it is needed, check if description is provided.
- Is the important visual information included with the main audio? Does the speaker explain the visual information?
- Is a separate described video available? Usually there is a link to a separate described video, or a player control such as .
Tips
Generally, all text in the video should be included in the main audio or a separate description. For example
- title text at the beginning of the video,
- links and e-mail addresses shown at the end,
- speakers’ names in text, and
- text in a presentation.
The exact text does not have to be included. However, all of the information in the text needs to be available.
Learn more
- User Experiences and Benefits to Organizations, in Making Audio and Video Media Accessible
- Description of Visual Information, in Making Audio and Video Media Accessible
- Understanding 1.2.5: Audio Description (Prerecorded)