Overview

When you follow accessibility standards, your multimedia can be accessed by everyone, regardless of physical abilities. In general, accessible multimedia are video, webinars, and podcasts that have:

• Closed captions
• Audio description
• Text-based transcript

The principal concepts of multimedia accessibility will help you meet the State of Minnesota accessibility standards. The instructions outlined in the Resource section relate specifically to video, webinars, podcasts and other multimedia.

Did you know?

Closed captioning provides text to your multimedia that makes the content searchable.

Creating Multimedia

No matter what type of multimedia you're using, you'll need to be sure they are captioned, or have an audio description available in order to make them accessible. There are a variety of ways to caption, mostly depending on whether you're working with a live event or a pre-recorded video, webinar, podcast, etc.

Options for captioning vary widely, and require special software and technical skills. Accuracy and quality are very important considerations and often it is best to hire a professional. It's important to remember to include costs for captioning or audio description when planning a budget for your event or project.

For an overview and resources on closed-captioning and audio description, the following resource may help you:

• Captioning Essentials Handout (PDF) from OET's training course

• Captioning Essentials online training from the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans 
  

Resources