How to make video and audio accessible

Audio description for videos

All pre-recorded videos must describe important visual information so people who cannot see the video can understand the content.

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Why videos need a visual description

Pre-recorded videos must describe important visual information needed to understand the content. This helps people who:

  • benefit from both visual and auditory information
  • have difficulty interpreting visuals
  • are blind or have trouble seeing the video

Make sure your video has either:

  • integrated narration with essential visual information included in the main audio (easiest), or
  • a separate audio description (AD) with visual information described between gaps in the main audio

Live video streams do not need a visual description.

Integrated audio narration

The easiest way to make your video accessible is to include all essential visual information in the main audio narration. This works well for presentations and instructional videos.

To do this:

  • write a script that includes everything you want viewers to know
  • narrate the script while recording the video

Listen to an example of audio narration in Easy way to create accessible videos with audio (PopeTech) [3 minutes, YouTube]

Audio description

Audio description (AD) is separate commentary added to describe visuals. It may also be called video description or described video.

Examples:

A separate AD is not needed if:

  • all essential visual information is already included in the main audio, or
  • the visuals support but are not required to understand the content, such as a person speaking, items in a room or decorative patterns

Video-only content with no audio must include either:

Creating an audio-described video

If a separate AD version is needed:

  • publish both the original video and the audio-described version
  • make it clear which version is which so users can choose the best option

Example of AD naming (from RNIB):

Adding AD as a separate track

It is sometimes possible to add AD as an extra audio track, but our YouTube channel does not support this. You must either:

  • narrate the description into the main audio, or
  • create a separate audio-described video

What to describe

Include only visual information essential to understanding. Avoid personal opinions or interpretations.

Describe:

  • text shown in the video (names, websites, emails)
  • who is speaking and where they are
  • informative images (charts, graphs)
  • demonstrations or instructions
  • events and actions
  • body language or expressions, if required for understanding

Use present tense, active voice, and third person. Be accurate and descriptive, but don’t describe every detail.

Making existing videos accessible

If a video is online and audio description is missing or incomplete (for essential visuals only), do the following.

Council YouTube videos

  • Review the video and identify missing or unclear visual information.
  • Add missing details, such as: speaker identity or changes and important non-speech visuals, like on-screen text or actions
  • Upload the corrected video.

If you work for the council, contact the Communications and Marketing team to discuss fixing video captions for a video on our YouTube channel.

Linking to videos without audio description

If linking to a video you do not control:

  • Provide a written summary or key points of the essential visual information near the video, or link to a separate accessible page.
  • Allow users to request the information in a different accessible format
  • Where possible, provide a more accessible alternative version.

If no accessible version exists, the written summary or alternative format must provide equivalent information.

Example: Video with incomplete audio description

A council video called Relationships Really Matter shows two children discussing how their parents’ behaviour affects them. Between their conversations, essential text appears on-screen, including:

  • key statistics
  • guidance for parents or caregivers
  • support services and helplines

The only audio between conversations is background music. All essential information is on-screen and currently inaccessible to people who cannot see it.

How to make this video accessible

Temporary fix: Add the on-screen text to captions and provide a written summary of key points and resources near the video

Long-term solution: Create a fully audio-described version narrating the on-screen text and other important visuals. Ensure captions and audio description clearly separate dialogue and on-screen text.

Accessibility standards

Following this guidance helps more people access council content and supports meeting UK accessibility regulations, including PSBAR 2018.

For more guidance on audio description:

If system or format limits stop you from following this guidance, contact the Communications and Marketing team before publishing.