{"id":8968,"date":"2025-02-12T08:59:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T13:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=8968"},"modified":"2025-02-27T16:22:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T21:22:39","slug":"audio-descriptions","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/audio-descriptions\/","title":{"raw":"Audio Descriptions","rendered":"Audio Descriptions"},"content":{"raw":"In Canada audio descriptions (described video) is only required for major broadcasters during prime time. However, let's explore a use case for a form of audio descriptions in all video content.\r\n<h2>Why do audio descriptions matter?<\/h2>\r\nConsider this video with <em>less than optimal<\/em> audio:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/mediaspace.langara.ca\/media\/t\/0_gt2lg7wa\r\n<h3>Reflection<\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"noborder wp-image-8972 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"79\" height=\"88\" \/>From that video, note some of the useful labels a narrator should include in a video demonstration of a common computer task.\r\n\r\nNo, didn't catch that? <a href=\"#id\">Let's try again.<\/a>\r\n<h3><a id=\"id\"><\/a>Integrated Audio Description<\/h3>\r\nNow, consider the following video as an example of better practice:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/mediaspace.langara.ca\/media\/t\/0_su13cdwm\r\n\r\n<details><summary>Simulations presented in videos<\/summary>[columns]\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dyslexia<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Buffering<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Loss of peripheral vision<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Far-sightedness<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sunshine<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mobile<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Distraction<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[\/columns]\r\n\r\nObviously, the effects in the video do not accurately represent the varied experience and access means of viewers, however they provide some indication of what information can be missed when information is not presented and reinforced in multiple modalities.\r\n\r\n<\/details>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #b01109\"><a id=\"why\" style=\"color: #b01109\"><\/a><a style=\"color: #b01109\" href=\"#why\">Why integrated audio descriptions?<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIntegrated audio description of visual elements, actions, and information help all viewers understand and engage with the same media at the same time.\r\n\r\nConsider as a parallel thought that accessible colour is essential for colour blind users.\r\n\r\n<details><summary>But, accessibile colour also benefits:<\/summary>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Visually impaired users<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Someone printing in black and white<\/li>\r\n \t<li>User viewing on their phone on a sunny day<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/details>So, integrated audio descriptions are essential for blind and low vision consumers.\r\n\r\n<details><summary>But, integrated audio descriptions also benefit:<\/summary>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Neurodivergent viewers<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Distracted and tired viewers<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mobile viewers<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Commuters<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Users with inconsistent connection<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/details>\r\nYou are not going to have to record separate audio tracks like in the Steamboat Willie example, but to improve the accessibility of your videos you should record better audio tracks.\r\n\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366\"><a id=\"mr\" style=\"color: #993366\"><\/a><a style=\"color: #b01109\" href=\"#mr\">Mr. Rogers<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\r\nMr. Rogers once said he was feeding his fish. However, he did not always announce this activity. A blind viewer wrote in expressing concern that Mr. Rogers was no longer feeding the fish. Going forward he would announce whenever he fed his fish, using his voice to describe his actions and ensure everyone was included. This simple act can make a huge difference for some.[footnote]I could not confirm is this story was genuine or apocryphal.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=isqG-byty_Q\r\n\r\nMove to the next page to learn how to create integrated audio descriptions.\r\n<ul class=\"navbar\" style=\"text-align: right\">\r\n \t<li class=\"navitem\" style=\"border: none\">Workshop pages<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/integrated-audio-description\/\">1<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"navitem\">2<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/integrated-audio-description-best-practices\/\">3<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/review\/\">4<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<p>In Canada audio descriptions (described video) is only required for major broadcasters during prime time. However, let&#8217;s explore a use case for a form of audio descriptions in all video content.<\/p>\n<h2>Why do audio descriptions matter?<\/h2>\n<p>Consider this video with <em>less than optimal<\/em> audio:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"kaltura_player\" title=\"Accessibile Video (BCCampus  Accessibility Bites) 1\/2\" src=\"https:\/\/api.ca.kaltura.com\/p\/138\/sp\/13800\/embedIframeJs\/uiconf_id\/23449468\/partner_id\/138?iframeembed=true&#38;playerId=kaltura_player&#38;entry_id=0_gt2lg7wa&#38;flashvars[streamerType]=auto&#38;flashvars[localizationCode]=en&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.position]=left&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.clickToClose]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.layout]=vertical&#38;flashvars[chapters.thumbnailRotator]=false&#38;flashvars[streamSelector.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[EmbedPlayer.SpinnerTarget]=videoHolder&#38;flashvars[dualScreen.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[hotspots.plugin]=1&#38;flashvars[Kaltura.addCrossoriginToIframe]=true&#38;wid=0_5lh34g00\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-pointer-lock allow-popups allow-modals allow-orientation-lock allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-presentation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Reflection<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"noborder wp-image-8972 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"79\" height=\"88\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon.png 579w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon-269x300.png 269w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon-65x72.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon-225x251.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1155\/2025\/02\/QuestionIcon-350x390.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 79px) 100vw, 79px\" \/>From that video, note some of the useful labels a narrator should include in a video demonstration of a common computer task.<\/p>\n<p>No, didn&#8217;t catch that? <a href=\"#id\">Let&#8217;s try again.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"id\"><\/a>Integrated Audio Description<\/h3>\n<p>Now, consider the following video as an example of better practice:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"kaltura_player\" title=\"Accessibile Video (BCCampus Accessibility Bites) 2\/2\" src=\"https:\/\/api.ca.kaltura.com\/p\/138\/sp\/13800\/embedIframeJs\/uiconf_id\/23449468\/partner_id\/138?iframeembed=true&#38;playerId=kaltura_player&#38;entry_id=0_su13cdwm&#38;flashvars[streamerType]=auto&#38;flashvars[localizationCode]=en&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.position]=left&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.clickToClose]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.layout]=vertical&#38;flashvars[chapters.thumbnailRotator]=false&#38;flashvars[streamSelector.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[EmbedPlayer.SpinnerTarget]=videoHolder&#38;flashvars[dualScreen.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[hotspots.plugin]=1&#38;flashvars[Kaltura.addCrossoriginToIframe]=true&#38;wid=0_a8bg2ylc\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-pointer-lock allow-popups allow-modals allow-orientation-lock allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-presentation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<details>\n<summary>Simulations presented in videos<\/summary>\n<div class=\"twocolumn\">\n<ul>\n<li>Dyslexia<\/li>\n<li>Buffering<\/li>\n<li>Loss of peripheral vision<\/li>\n<li>Far-sightedness<\/li>\n<li>Sunshine<\/li>\n<li>Mobile<\/li>\n<li>Distraction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Obviously, the effects in the video do not accurately represent the varied experience and access means of viewers, however they provide some indication of what information can be missed when information is not presented and reinforced in multiple modalities.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #b01109\"><a id=\"why\" style=\"color: #b01109\"><\/a><a style=\"color: #b01109\" href=\"#why\">Why integrated audio descriptions?<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Integrated audio description of visual elements, actions, and information help all viewers understand and engage with the same media at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Consider as a parallel thought that accessible colour is essential for colour blind users.<\/p>\n<details>\n<summary>But, accessibile colour also benefits:<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Visually impaired users<\/li>\n<li>Someone printing in black and white<\/li>\n<li>User viewing on their phone on a sunny day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<p>So, integrated audio descriptions are essential for blind and low vision consumers.<\/p>\n<details>\n<summary>But, integrated audio descriptions also benefit:<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Neurodivergent viewers<\/li>\n<li>Distracted and tired viewers<\/li>\n<li>Mobile viewers<\/li>\n<li>Commuters<\/li>\n<li>Users with inconsistent connection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<p>You are not going to have to record separate audio tracks like in the Steamboat Willie example, but to improve the accessibility of your videos you should record better audio tracks.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366\"><a id=\"mr\" style=\"color: #993366\"><\/a><a style=\"color: #b01109\" href=\"#mr\">Mr. Rogers<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mr. Rogers once said he was feeding his fish. However, he did not always announce this activity. A blind viewer wrote in expressing concern that Mr. Rogers was no longer feeding the fish. Going forward he would announce whenever he fed his fish, using his voice to describe his actions and ensure everyone was included. This simple act can make a huge difference for some.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"I could not confirm is this story was genuine or apocryphal.\" id=\"return-footnote-8968-1\" href=\"#footnote-8968-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-3\" title=\"There you are, fish\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/isqG-byty_Q?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Move to the next page to learn how to create integrated audio descriptions.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"navbar\" style=\"text-align: right\">\n<li class=\"navitem\" style=\"border: none\">Workshop pages<\/li>\n<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/integrated-audio-description\/\">1<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"navitem\">2<\/li>\n<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/integrated-audio-description-best-practices\/\">3<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"navitem\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/review\/\">4<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-8968-1\">I could not confirm is this story was genuine or apocryphal. <a href=\"#return-footnote-8968-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1655,"menu_order":7,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-8968","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry"],"part":7822,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/8968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1655"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/8968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9163,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/8968\/revisions\/9163"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/7822"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/8968\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=8968"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=8968"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=8968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}