Glossary A–ZLetter A
Accessible video
Accessible videos are designed so that people with visual or hearing impairments or with seizure disorders can also perceive and understand the content.
This includes subtitles or text overlays, sufficient contrast, calm transitions and, where needed, audio description, a spoken description of what is shown.
On screens in shops, waiting areas or foyers, videos usually run without sound. A video that can be understood without sound therefore helps people with hearing loss and everyone else at the same time. Key messages should stay on screen long enough and appear in a type size that is readable from the usual distance. Rapid flashing should be avoided; WCAG sets the limit at three flashes per second.
Operators should ask for accessibility at the production stage, because adding it later is expensive. Whether a screen falls under a legal obligation depends on how it is used and has to be checked case by case. A common misconception: subtitles alone do not make a video accessible if the text is too small, too brief or low in contrast.