Accessible Video Checklist | UMass Office of the President

About the Checklist

Use the Accessible Video Checklist to double-check your video before publishing it online. Please note that this checklist is not meant to be exhaustive or a fix-all for your video. It will remind you to include accessible best practices in your video production strategy and help you develop good video creation habits. Before you know it, they’ll become a natural part of your process and you’ll no longer need the checklist!

Pre-Production

I developed a script that includes important visual content will need to be described audibly either by the speaker or through audio descriptions

I ensured any design elements such as text overlays that will be used in the video pass color contrast guidelines.

Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker to confirm the background and foreground color you have selected will meet color contrast guidelines.

If I'm publishing a live stream video, I booked a captioner for the live video.

I planned the placement of any text-based content in the video so that it is not blocked by the closed captions.

Text-based content could be content on PowerPoint slides, a speaker's name being displayed in the video, etc.

I have a plan for providing audio descriptions if there are visuals that need to be conveyed in the video.

I booked a sign language interpreter ahead of time if I am creating a sign language version of the video.

I confirmed the sign language interpreter will have good lighting on their hands and face.

I confirmed the background for the interpreter will be a solid color and will contrast with their skin tone.

I confirmed that the interpreter will wear solid color clothes that contrast with their skin tone.

I planned where the sign language interpreter will be positioned in the video.

During Production

I conveyed the important of speaking at a slow pace to anyone speaking in the video.

Any text I use in the video is displayed in a readable and familiar font.

I avoided any erratic and jarring movements when recording footage.

I did not use any blinking, flashing, or strobing effects in the video.

I ensured any onscreen presenters are well lit so that anyone in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community that relies on lip reading can clearly see the speaker’s mouth.

Post-Production

I used an accessible video platform to host the video.

When posting a video to our website or storing it remotely in a cloud solution, you should always ensure the video player meets the following guidelines: the video player is keyboard and screen reader accessible, the speed of the video can be customized, and the video player accepts a .vtt file to provide customizable closed captions. The President's Office has a license for Brightcove - we strongly recommend that all videos being used for University programs, services, and activities be hosted in Brightcove unless they are being stored in an accessible learning management system for training purposes.

If I developed captions in house, I confirmed they meet the DCMP captioning key requirements.

The DCMP Captioning Key is used in the industry to ensure captions are accurate, consistent, clear, readable, and equal.

If I used a third party for captions, I reviewed them to ensure they meet the requirements of the DCMP captioning key.

I added captions to the video.

The recommended captioning format for videos is closed captions via a .vtt file. However, in cases where a platform does not accept .vtt files, an .srt file can be provided, and in the rare case that a platform does not support closed captions, open captions should be provided.

I posted a transcript for the video.

If my video content is focused on an international audience, I have provided subtitles in other languages.

Subtitles in other languages both deliver the content to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in international countries as well as anyone in international countries that do not have knowledge of the English language.

I published an audio described version of the video if the visuals were not described in the video.

If I developed audio descriptions in house, I ensured they meet the DCMP Description Key guidelines.

The DCMP Description Key guidelines are essential for those performing description, and cover a range of topics from preparing to describe to determining both what information needs to be described and how to describe it.

I published a sign language interpretation version of the video if one was needed.

If I shared the video on social media, I provided a link to the transcript and, if applicable, the audio described and sign language versions of the video.