Information Communication Technology (ICT) Accessible Multimedia

When it comes to accessibility in multimedia, what are features you need to take into consideration?

  • Captioning (either closed or open)
  • CART (communication access real-time translation) or live captioning
  • Description (audio description or video description)
  • Text-based transcript
  • Accessible chatbots
  • Accessible e-learning content

For data visualization content and other complex images, see image accessibility.

The key to accessible multimedia is to think about accessibility in the planning stage. What message are you attempting to convey? How is your choice of media the best means to convey this message? Finally, ask: what do we need to do to make this message fully accessible?

Answering these questions up front helps ensure that your multimedia is not only meaningful and useful, but that you’ve allocated appropriate resources to the activity or project. Failing to do so can significantly increase project time and costs.

Video & Audio Checklists Captioning – Open or Closed Live Captioning Audio Description for Video Text transcript services Chatbots E-Learning

E-learning creation software is a type of program that allows users to build online learning content. These tools enable content creators to add interactive elements, multimedia, and assessments to create digital courses

Video Accessibility Checklist

Captions

  • Included for all spoken dialogue.
  • Synchronized with the audio.
  • Accurate.
  • Proper punctuation and speaker labels.

Visual Accessibility

  • All text in the video is readable with adequate size.
  • Good color contrast between text and background.
  • No flashing lights over 3 flashes per second.
  • Avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning.
  • List itemAnimations or transitions are not visually overwhelming.

Audio Quality

  • Speech is clear and understandable.
  • Background audio does not overpower the spoken content.
  • No sudden loud noises.
  • Volume remains consistent throughout the video.

Audio Description (AD)
What to look for when determining if audio description is required for full understanding of video content:

  • Action: What people are doing on screen, especially if not verbally described on screen
  • Characters: Who is on screen, their relevant expressions or body language when it matters to understanding.
  • Scene Changes: Transitions, location changes, significant setting details.
  • On-screen Text: Anything written on the screen that conveys meaning that isn’t already read aloud.

Types of audio description:

  • Add standard audio description in natural pauses if needed.
  • Use extended audio description when visuals move too quickly.
  • Consider a separate described version or transcript if descriptions cannot fit naturally.

Timing & Auto-Play

  • Video does not auto-play unless necessary.

Additional Considerations

  • Avoid placing important visuals near the edges of the frame.

Video Hosting & CMS Platforms AD Capabilities (As of May 2026)

  • YouTube: Standard AD
  • Vimeo: Standard AD
  • Wistia: Standard & Extended AD
  • Microsoft: Stream Standard AD
  • Brightcove: Standard AD
  • Kaltura: Standard & Extended AD
  • JW Player: Standard AD

Audio/Podcast Checklist

Speech Clarity

  • Host(s) and guests speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
  • No overlapping dialogue unless intentionally structured.
  • Key terms, acronyms, or complex concepts are explained.
  • Avoid mumbling, trailing off, or speaking too quickly.

Recording Quality

  • Audio is recorded using a proper microphone (not a laptop mic).
  • No background hum, static, keyboard sounds, or echo.
  • Consistent microphone distance and positioning.
  • No clipping or distortion in loud moments.
  • Silence or room tone is used between edits to avoid harsh cuts.

There are a variety of ways to caption media, mostly depending on whether you’re working with a live event or a pre-recorded video, webinar, podcast, etc.

Options for captioning vary widely, and require special software and technical skills. Accuracy and quality are very important considerations. Depending on the media’s length, complexity, and visibility, you may decide it is best to hire a professional. It’s important to remember to include costs for captioning or audio description when planning a budget for your event or project.

For an overview and resources on closed-captioning, the following may help:

Description, often termed “audio description” or “video description” is the practice of providing verbal description of key visual information. In a live event such as a webinar or in-person presentation, often the speaker can provide the description. For recorded media, professional describers create a second sound track that editors then add to the media. Producers can choose to provide the description either through a button on the player (similar to the “cc” option for closed captions) or by offering two media links – one with and one without description. When planning your project, it is important to determine how you will support description, such as whether to hire a description service and how you will make the description available.

The following resources provide an overview and additional resources on description:


There are a variety of situations in which you may want to provide a text transcript.

  • To support the audio recording of a public meeting
  • To make a podcast or slide presentation accessible
  • To supplement a captioned video

If there are visual elements, the text transcript should include a description of those elements.

While you may be tempted to ask someone in your office to transcribe the audio file, that can be impractical. A single hour of audio can run as much as 100 pages of text!

To find a professional transcriber,  use the state contract search for court reporting services (type in keywords court reporting services)

  • Court reporting transcribers will provide faster turnaround, but their rates may be higher.
  • Secretarial transcribers may take longer, but at a lower rate.

If your meeting is supported by live captioning, or CART (communication access real-time translation), you can ask for a transcript as part of the deliverable.

E-learning creation software is a type of program that allows users to build online learning content. These tools enable content creators to add interactive elements, multimedia, and assessments to create digital courses

Adobe Captivate

articulate

Have a resource for ICT Accessibility?

Share it with us