Making videos that are easily accessible by people with disabilities is one of the most important tasks you can undertake as a videomarketer. Accessibility leads to better viewing experiences, greater engagement, and improved interactions by people with disabilities.
Why Video Accessibility Matters
Video accessibility is about creating content that is accessible by people who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have physical disabilities. This means making sure the content of videos is able to be seen, heard, or understood by these people, which can be achieved through considerations such as providing captions and transcripts. Incorporating video accessibility helps reach more viewers, communicate better with all of them, and gives everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy your videos.
Best Practices for Video Accessibility
Making your videos accessible to people with disabilities is an important part of creating an inclusive video experience. Here are some actionable tips and strategies to make your videos inclusive for everyone:
Video Captions and Transcripts
Captions and transcripts are essential for making video content accessible to those who suffer from hearing impairments or deafness, as well as for people who cannot understand videos due to cognitive/language barriers. Captions not only help with accessibility, but they also serve as SEO support.
Alternate Text for Images
Alternate text (or alt text) should be used on any images used in a video. This helps those using text-to-speech video playback to understand the story and what is happening in the video.
Audio Description
Audio description allows people who cannot see what is happening in the video to understand the scene. It is a narration track which explains what is happening onscreen.
Accessible Color Palette
Using an accessible color palette is important for those who are color blind or have difficulty seeing certain colors. Be sure to choose a palette that will make it possible for everyone to differentiate elements and take in all the details.
Keyboard Navigation
Integrating keyboard navigation support is important for those who cannot properly use a mouse. Provide clear instructions and navigation cues so that viewers can easily access and understand all the content in your video.
Conclusion
By following these tips and strategies, you can make your videos inclusive and accessible to those who suffer from impairments or disabilities. Accessible videos guarantee that everyone can interact and experience the same content, paving the way for true inclusiveness in video. Utilizing these practices will foster more engagement, better understanding, and an all-around great viewing experience.
