Audio descriptions ensure that these silent but impactful moments are not lost for anyone who can’t see them.
The Jaws theme has meaning because of the fin in the water.
Who this impacts
- People who are blind or have low vision: They rely on audio descriptions to understand what’s happening visually in the video.
- People with cognitive impairments: Additional descriptions can help provide more context, making content easier to follow.
- Anyone who can’t watch the screen: Audio descriptions are also helpful for those who are multitasking or listening to content without direct visual access.
How to meet Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
- Provide an audio description track: This is an alternate audio track that narrates important visual details that are not conveyed through the original audio. It describes key visual elements like actions, settings, and scene changes.
- Offer a text-based media alternative: If audio descriptions aren’t available, provide a written text alternative that covers the essential visual information from the video. This could be a detailed transcript that includes both dialogue and visual descriptions.
- Ensure synchronicity: Make sure that the audio description is properly timed with the visual content so users can follow along in real-time.
Practical examples
- Example: Movie Scene
In a movie, a character silently reacts to surprising news. An audio description might say, “Her eyes widen as she gasps, taking a step back.”
- Example: Movie Trailer
Disney’s Frozen trailer with Audio Description is an excellent example:
Top tips
- Describe key moments: Focus on narrating the visual details that are crucial to understanding the content, rather than trying to describe every single element.
- Quality matters: For longer or more complex videos, consider using professional audio description services.
- Get user feedback: Testing with users who rely on audio descriptions can help improve the quality and relevance of the narration.