Audio description is an accessibility feature that provides spoken narration of key visual elements in a video, such as actions, settings, facial expressions, and on-screen text. It is inserted during natural pauses in dialogue to ensure people who are blind or have low vision can fully understand and experience the content. By making visual information audible, audio description ensures that videos are more inclusive and accessible to all viewers
Expectations
In pre-recorded visual and audio-video media, audio narrations must describe key visual elements during natural pauses in dialogue or sound. This audio track with added narration is called an audio description. When descriptions are essential to understanding the video and too lengthy to fit within these pauses, extended audio descriptions should be used. In this case, temporarily pause the original audio to allow the narration to play before resuming.
Audio descriptions are not required when all visual content is already conveyed through the original narration. For example, a video tutorial explaining how to navigate a JMU webpage where each step and visual element is explicitly described.
Why Audio Descriptions are Important
Audio descriptions make visual content accessible.
Audio descriptions impact:
- Blind or low vision users: They provide spoken narration of key visual elements such as actions, scene changes, text on screen, and facial expressions, ensuring users don’t miss critical visual information.
- Deafblind users: If provided as part of a descriptive transcript, audio descriptions can be accessed via screen readers or refreshable Braille displays. (For more information on descriptive transcripts, see “Transcripts”)
- Individuals with cognitive disabilities: They offer additional clarity and reinforcement, which can help users better process and retain information.
- Digital inclusion and equity: Including audio descriptions demonstrates a commitment to accessibility, ensuring all users have equal access to information.
How To Implement
Audio Descriptions are typically authored through scripts, a voiceover recording, then synched to the video using video editing software. Vendors are available to support this endeavor when internal support is not available. Furthermore, some videos may be recorded with narration in mind such that all essential visual components are already described, which would result in a video that does not need audio descriptions.
Creators may provide an audio-described version of the video alongside the original or in place of the original or integrated in an accessible media player with greater functionality for switching audio tracks. In short, one must ensure that at least the synchronized, audio-described video and audio content is available. As media player support advances, more options may become available both in authoring and playing audio-described videos.
Example:
Below are two promotional videos for JMU: the first is the original, and the second includes audio descriptions. Please note that audio descriptions for promotional content allows for far greater flexibility in audio descriptions than something like an instructional video.
Original Video: "We are the Dukes of JMU"
[Music]
>> (Narrator): We are the Dukes of JMU! We bleed purple, and our connections run deep.
[Music continues]
We learn and grow together. We do the work, and put intellect into action. We find our people, bask in the beauty, and make a difference in the world. We are owning the future, opening doors, being the change.
Audio Described Video: "We are the Dukes of JMU"
In the example below, audio description is provided to explain the visual elements not described in the original audio track.
[Music]
>> (Narrator): We are the Dukes of JMU! We bleed purple, and our connections run deep.
>> (Audio Descriptions): Words appear: “Sharing the bonds”, excited fans at sporting events, the JMU campus, students working with professors.
[Music continues]
>> (Narrator): We learn and grow together. We do the work, and put intellect into action.
>> (Audio Descriptions): Drone footage of campus, fireworks at football, students hiking, dancing, and wheelchair basketball.
>> (Narrator): We find our people, bask in the beauty, and make a difference in the world. We are owning the future, opening doors, being the change.
>> (Audio Descriptions): Words appear: “Being the change.” Fades to purple with a JMU logo.
WCAG Success Critera
Meeting all of the above requirements (must statements) ensures that pre-recorded, audio-visual synchronized media is in compliance with WCAG 2.1 (AA) as it relates to the following:
- Success Criterion 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (A)
- Success Criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (AA)
Further, meeting all of the above recommendations (should statements) ensures that pre-recorded, audio-visual synchronized media is aligned with best practices as they relate to the following: