{"id":11470,"date":"2024-03-22T04:18:58","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animaker.com\/blog\/?p=11470"},"modified":"2024-03-22T04:18:58","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:18:58","slug":"the-a11y-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animaker.com\/blog\/the-a11y-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The A11y checklist: How to create accessible videos using Animaker?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n

Have you ever played a video from your phone in a noisy coffee shop without your headphones? <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

It will be frustrating, right? <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Now imagine going through the same struggle every single time you try to watch a video. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

This frustrating inconvenience is just the tip of the iceberg when we talk about accessibility!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Some viewers may not hear the sound in your videos, while others may be sensitive to flashing lights from your video!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

These aren\u2019t some hypothetical situations – That’s the reality for millions of people with hearing or visual impairments and sensory sensitivities.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s where A11y comes in!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Hold on, What is A11y?<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

Well, A11y might look like gibberish, but it’s actually a code word for Accessibility!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Yes, Accessibility is often abbreviated as the numeronym a11y<\/b>, where the number 11 refers to the number of letters removed.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

A11y is all about making sure the websites and videos work well for all people who are differently abled!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

This means reaching a wider audience and making your video\/content more inclusive and accessible!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

But how do you achieve accessibility?<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

The answer lies in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – it acts like a roadmap to achieving this by providing guidelines for creating digital content that is accessible to everyone!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

This article will be your guide to mastering WCAG and creating videos that are inclusive, engaging, and accessible for everyone around the world!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

How can you make videos that are accessible?<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

WCAG outlines several key areas to consider when making videos accessible to everyone. Here are some of the most important guidelines for making your videos accessible and inclusive.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

1. Caption your videos:<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

Captions are textual representations of all the spoken words and non-verbal sounds in your video. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Captions appear at the bottom of the screen and are synchronized with the corresponding audio. Its main purpose is to make videos accessible to everyone, especially to people with hearing impairments. With captions, they can follow along with the dialogue, catch jokes, and understand the entire story \u2013 just like anyone else!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Captions are especially important if you’re creating content for a government agency, as they often need to create 508 Compliant Videos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

You may also note that the captions are different from the subtitles. Subtitles are usually the translations of the spoken dialogue in a video, meant for viewers who speak a different language than the one used in the video.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s how you can add Captions using Animaker’s Subtitle Generator<\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Simply upload your video file and click the ‘Auto Subtitle’ button. The AI will do its magic and instantly Captions\/Subtitles will be generated and added to your video!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

2. Include Audio Descriptions:<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

Audio descriptions are narrations of the key visual elements in a video, detailing everything from scene changes and character actions to on-screen text and subtle details. This makes it possible for viewers who are visually impaired to follow the story, appreciate the visuals, and fully engage with your video content. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Why are audio descriptions important?<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Because they are a game changer for visually impaired people. They no longer have to rely on others to interpret visual elements and navigate digital content. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Are you a content creator wondering where to add your audio description while posting on social media?<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s a quick tip!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

While uploading your videos on social media, you can write a detailed description of your video\u2019s visual content in the caption or even pin a comment at the top containing the description.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The good news is that some social media platforms are taking steps to improve accessibility features, making it easier for everyone to enjoy online content. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s how you can create Audio Descriptions using Animaker:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

You can create a voiceover for your video by pasting the script or description into Animaker Voice<\/a>, a text-to-speech software. Once created, the voiceover can be used in two ways: you can either add it directly into the video<\/b> for audible narration or download it as a separate audio file<\/b> to use alongside the video as a closed description.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

3. Keep your design simple and colors that are easy on the eyes:<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

Ever squinted at a website where the text seems to disappear into the background? Or struggled to distinguish between a button and its surrounding area in a video player?<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

You are not alone!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

This is a daily struggle for millions of people with limited color vision\/ color blindness.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

That\u2019s why color contrast plays a huge role in making sure everyone can enjoy the digital content. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Here are a few easy tips to make your video design inclusive\/accessible for everyone!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n