Guidelines for Accessible Audio and Video Content

At Oxford College of Business and Management Ltd (https://elearning.ocbm.uk/), we are committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to our educational resources. To support this mission, we have established the following guidelines for creating accessible audio and video content. These guidelines are designed to help our educators produce materials that are inclusive and meet accessibility standards.

1. Planning and Preparation

  • Audience Consideration: Consider the diverse needs of your audience, including students with visual, hearing, cognitive, and motor impairments.
  • Script Preparation: Prepare a detailed script for your video and audio content. This script will be useful for creating captions and transcripts.

2. Video Production

  • Clear Audio: Ensure that the audio is clear and free from background noise. Use high-quality microphones and, if possible, professional recording equipment.
  • Visible Speakers: When possible, include speakers’ faces on camera to allow for lip-reading.
  • Readable Text: Use large, high-contrast text for any on-screen titles, labels, or graphics. Avoid overly complex or decorative fonts.
  • Simple Visuals: Keep visuals simple and uncluttered. Ensure that important information is highlighted and easy to understand.
  • Consistent Layout: Maintain a consistent layout throughout your video to help learners with cognitive disabilities follow along easily.

3. Captioning

  • Accurate Captions: Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all video content. Captions should include dialogue, sound effects, and relevant background sounds.
  • Automatic Captioning: Use automatic captioning tools as a starting point, but always review and correct captions for accuracy.
  • Speaker Identification: Identify speakers in captions when multiple people are speaking.

4. Transcripts

  • Text Transcripts: Provide a complete text transcript of the video, including dialogue, descriptions of visual content, and relevant non-verbal information.
  • Downloadable Format: Make transcripts available for download in accessible formats, such as plain text or accessible PDFs.

5. Audio Descriptions

  • Descriptive Narration: For videos with significant visual content, provide audio descriptions that narrate essential visual elements. This helps learners with visual impairments understand the content.
  • Integration: Integrate audio descriptions into the main video track if possible, or provide a separate audio-described version of the video.

6. Accessibility Features

  • Player Controls: Ensure the video player controls are keyboard accessible and compatible with screen readers.
  • Adjustable Settings: Allow users to adjust caption size, font, and color to suit their preferences.
  • Playback Speed: Provide options for adjusting playback speed to accommodate different learning paces.

7. Testing and Feedback

  • Usability Testing: Test your video content with assistive technologies such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, and keyboard-only navigation.
  • User Feedback: Encourage feedback from learners on the accessibility of video content and make necessary adjustments based on their input.

8. Continuous Improvement

  • Stay Updated: Keep informed about the latest accessibility standards and best practices.
  • Training: Participate in regular training sessions on accessibility to improve your skills and knowledge.

Checklist for Accessible Audio and Video Content

  1. Planning and Script:
    • Consider diverse audience needs.
    • Prepare a detailed script.
  2. Video Production:
    • Ensure clear audio quality.
    • Include visible speakers.
    • Use large, high-contrast text.
    • Keep visuals simple and clear.
    • Maintain a consistent layout.
  3. Captioning:
    • Provide accurate, synchronized captions.
    • Review and correct automatic captions.
    • Identify speakers in captions.
  4. Transcripts:
    • Provide a complete text transcript.
    • Make transcripts downloadable in accessible formats.
  5. Audio Descriptions:
    • Provide descriptive narration for visual content.
    • Integrate or offer separate audio-described versions.
  6. Accessibility Features:
    • Ensure keyboard-accessible video player controls.
    • Allow adjustable caption settings.
    • Provide playback speed options.
  7. Testing and Feedback:
    • Test content with assistive technologies.
    • Encourage and incorporate user feedback.
  8. Continuous Improvement:
    • Stay updated on accessibility standards.
    • Participate in accessibility training.

By following these guidelines, our educators can create accessible and inclusive audio and video content that enhances the learning experience for all learners. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our accessibility team at accessibility@ocbm.uk.

Thank you for your commitment to accessibility and inclusive education.