Media Accessibility

This help article outlines why media accessibility is important, how content creators can make media accessible, and where accessible media might be relevant.

Why is Media Accessibility Important?

Media accessibility is crucial for ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can interact with multimedia content in a meaningful way. It is particularly important for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired or have cognitive or motor impairments. Accessible media ensures equal access to information and opportunities, thus promoting inclusivity and reducing barriers for users with disabilities.

How Do I Create Accessible Media?

Accessible media consists of captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation.

Transcripts:

Transcripts are a key component of any video content used by deafblind audience members and others who rely on or prefer written information. It is also helpful for people who want to quickly read through the transcript to understand the content of the media. A transcript must be placed under its associated media and be easily identifiable for all users.

Captions:

Captions are an audio-synchronized text alternative to the speech and non-speech audio information present in a video. These captions are displayed within the media player and provide context to people who are hearing impaired and others who rely on written information to process media, such as non-native speakers.

Descriptive Narration:

Descriptive narration describes visual components, such as text, needed to understand content present in media. These descriptions provide additional context for people who are blind and those with different learning styles and access needs.

Checklist for making media accessible

The following information provides a checklist that can be followed to make media accessible.

Where will accessible media be most relevant?

Accessible media may be included in HTML resources like web pages, web forms, social media posts, newsletters, or non-HTML digital resources like documents or presentations. Please refer to the following links to learn how accessible media can be applied in multiple digital environments.

HTML Content

• Content & Media at pdx.edu

Social Media

• Generate automated captioning on YouTube

• Edit captions on YouTube for accuracy

• Facebook Captioning Tutorial

Automated captions and transcripts can be generated and edited for accuracy in YouTube and Media Space. Alternatively, requests for Human captioning and transcription can be made at cost by uploading your multimedia to Media Space and submitting a Caption Request for pdx.edu Multimedia.

University Policy Connection

Making media accessible is a critical step in complying with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 per Portland State University’s Digital Accessibility Policy. Please reference the following World Wide Web Consortium help article for more information:

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.4 Captions (Live)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

• Understanding WCAG 2 Success Criterion 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)