4.7 Video
Video and audio are powerful means of conveying content and engaging audiences effectively. However, they can also create barriers to many users unless accessibility is taken into account during their creation and delivery. User profiles to consider when delivering video content include the following:
 | Persons who are unable to see video: All relevant visual content must be made accessible by means of the audio track, either through the script or through audio description (a separate audio track that narrates and describes important visual-only content). |
| Persons who are unable to hear audio: All videos must include closed captions (text versions of the audio content synchronized to the video). Closed caption not only make videos accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing but also help non-native speakers understand video content. All audio content must also be made available as text in the form of a transcript, which makes it possible to search for content within the video. |
| Persons who cannot use a mouse: Video and audio content must be delivered through a multimedia player with properly labelled controls that can be operated effectively using only a keyboard or speech input software and that can be announced to users of screen reading software. |
Videos should be produced and delivered in such a way as to ensure that all members of the audience can access their content. An accessible video includes captions, a transcript and audio description and is delivered through an accessible media player.18