This document provides information about the related accessibility checks:
Extended audio description
What
The video must include extended audio description.
Note
Extended audio description pauses the video to allow for additional descriptive audio to be added. This technique is only used when crucial visual information would be lost without it, and when pauses between dialogue or narration are too brief to provide adequate description.
Why
People who are blind or cannot understand visual content can listen to audio descriptions during videos. This means they have a better chance to understand the content of the video.
This check affects individuals with:
Blindness: Who cannot perceive the visual content of video elements.
User story
Bridgit is a blind mother to a five-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy:
"Let me tell you, having extended audio descriptions on a video actually changes everything. Just the other day, I had to go through a new safety training video for work, you know, the kind that shows all the steps to follow in an emergency. Usually, these kinds of videos are a nightmare for me. I never get all the little details, and it is frustrating.
But this one? It had extended audio descriptions, and I could not believe the difference. The narrator’s voice would actually pause the video now and then to explain things like exactly where each exit was, which buttons were being pressed, and how to find your way in the dark. It made such a difference because, for once, I felt like I had the full picture of what they were showing. I can actually remember each step without feeling like I’m missing something. Honestly, this should be the standard. It just makes all the difference for those of us who ‘see’ the world through sound."
Examples
Example: Workout video with extended audio description
A health and fitness web portal includes workout videos where the trainer demonstrates advanced exercises with a focus on proper form. For blind and visually impaired users, extended audio descriptions are provided throughout the video, and they give details about essential aspects such as limb angles, core engagement, and specific adjustments that the trainer makes to ensure correct posture.
These detailed audio descriptions enable visually impaired users to perform exercises accurately and safely.
Example: Workout video without extended audio description
A health and fitness web portal includes workout videos where the trainer demonstrates advanced exercises with a focus on proper form. However there are no extended audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired users that guide them through details like limb angles, core engagement, or specific adjustments they need to make to ensure correct posture. These descriptions help users to know if they are performing the exercises accurately.
How
How to review it?
The Web Governance platform highlights non-streaming video elements in the code.
Review the video to determine if it requires extended audio descriptions and to check if they are actually provided.
Consider the following:
Is there visual information in the video that cannot be adequately described within the natural pauses in the audio track using standard audio description?
If the answer is no, you can immediately mark this issue as reviewed.
If the answer is yes, then check to ensure that extended audio descriptions are provided. Look to see if the video pauses playback to allow time for additional descriptions when necessary. Alternatively, there may be a link to a different version of the video that includes extended audio descriptions. If you find that extended audio descriptions are provided, you can also mark this issue as reviewed.
This document provides information about the related accessibility checks:
Extended audio description
What
The video must include extended audio description.
Note
Extended audio description pauses the video to allow for additional descriptive audio to be added. This technique is only used when crucial visual information would be lost without it, and when pauses between dialogue or narration are too brief to provide adequate description.
Why
People who are blind or cannot understand visual content can listen to audio descriptions during videos. This means they have a better chance to understand the content of the video.
This check affects individuals with:
Blindness: Who cannot perceive the visual content of video elements.
User story
Bridgit is a blind mother to a five-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy:
"Let me tell you, having extended audio descriptions on a video actually changes everything. Just the other day, I had to go through a new safety training video for work, you know, the kind that shows all the steps to follow in an emergency. Usually, these kinds of videos are a nightmare for me. I never get all the little details, and it is frustrating.
But this one? It had extended audio descriptions, and I could not believe the difference. The narrator’s voice would actually pause the video now and then to explain things like exactly where each exit was, which buttons were being pressed, and how to find your way in the dark. It made such a difference because, for once, I felt like I had the full picture of what they were showing. I can actually remember each step without feeling like I’m missing something. Honestly, this should be the standard. It just makes all the difference for those of us who ‘see’ the world through sound."
Examples
Example: Workout video with extended audio description
A health and fitness web portal includes workout videos where the trainer demonstrates advanced exercises with a focus on proper form. For blind and visually impaired users, extended audio descriptions are provided throughout the video, and they give details about essential aspects such as limb angles, core engagement, and specific adjustments that the trainer makes to ensure correct posture.
These detailed audio descriptions enable visually impaired users to perform exercises accurately and safely.
Example: Workout video without extended audio description
A health and fitness web portal includes workout videos where the trainer demonstrates advanced exercises with a focus on proper form. However there are no extended audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired users that guide them through details like limb angles, core engagement, or specific adjustments they need to make to ensure correct posture. These descriptions help users to know if they are performing the exercises accurately.
How
How to review it?
The Web Governance platform highlights non-streaming video elements in the code.
Review the video to determine if it requires extended audio descriptions and to check if they are actually provided.
Consider the following:
Is there visual information in the video that cannot be adequately described within the natural pauses in the audio track using standard audio description?
If the answer is no, you can immediately mark this issue as reviewed.
If the answer is yes, then check to ensure that extended audio descriptions are provided. Look to see if the video pauses playback to allow time for additional descriptions when necessary. Alternatively, there may be a link to a different version of the video that includes extended audio descriptions. If you find that extended audio descriptions are provided, you can also mark this issue as reviewed.
Web Governance