Extended audio descriptions give the content room to breathe by pausing the video to provide detailed explanations of key visual elements, ensuring everyone has the chance to understand what’s happening on screen.
Who this impacts
- People who are blind or have low vision: They need audio descriptions to cover critical visuals, especially in fast-paced videos.
- People with cognitive impairments: Extra time for detailed descriptions helps them process the content more effectively.
- Multitaskers and non-visual users: Extended descriptions can benefit anyone who isn’t able to watch the screen but still wants a complete understanding of the content.
How to meet Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
- Pause the video as needed: Insert pauses to add detailed audio descriptions during moments without sufficient natural breaks.
- Narrate important visual details: Cover essential actions, scene changes, and on-screen text that contribute to understanding the content.
- Provide as an alternative track: Offer the extended audio description as an alternative version of the video, so viewers can choose the version that best fits their needs.
Top tips
- Script the descriptions in advance: Planning ahead can ensure the pauses feel natural and enhance the viewing experience.
- Use user feedback to refine: Feedback from blind or low-vision users can help ensure the descriptions are helpful and clear.
- Offer multiple formats if possible: Providing both a standard and an extended audio description version allows users to choose what works best for them.