If you are a website owner, it is important to make sure that your site is accessible to everyone. This includes people who are blind or have low vision. One way to do this is by adding audio descriptions to your website.
In this article, we will discuss why is web accessibility important, what audio descriptions are and how they can benefit people with visual impairments. We will also provide tips on how to add audio descriptions to your website.
Why is Web Accessibility Important?
There are over 1 billion people worldwide with some form of disability, many of whom rely on the internet to communicate and access information. Unfortunately, accessibility is often an afterthought in web design, resulting in sites that are difficult or impossible for some users to navigate. This can have a significant impact on their ability to work, study, and participate in the digital economy.
Web accessibility means making sure that everyone can use and understand your website, regardless of any limitations they may have. This includes people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. It also includes people who may not have reliable internet access or who are using assistive technologies like screen readers. By making your site accessible, you can ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to engage with your content.
There are many benefits to creating an accessible website. In addition to promoting social inclusion, it can also lead to improved search engine rankings, increased traffic, and higher conversion rates.
Making your site accessible can also help you avoid potential legal action under disability discrimination laws. Ultimately, web accessibility is about giving all users the same level of experience and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital world.
What Audio Descriptions Are?
Audio descriptions are a type of auditory description that provides information about the visual content of a video or movie. They are typically delivered through narration and can be used to describe the actions, expressions, and appearance of characters on screen, and in order to make the most of them, you better use professional audio description services that provide the most up-to-date and efficient technology.
How They Can Benefit?
Audio descriptions can be beneficial for people who are blind or have low vision, as they can help them to understand the plot and follow along with the action. They can also be used to describe on-screen text, making it easier for people with dyslexia or other reading impairments to access video content.
Ways to Add Them
There are a few different ways that you can add audio descriptions to your website. One option is to use a plugin or extension that will automatically generate descriptions for your videos. Another option is to create your own audio descriptions using narration and sound effects, or, as recommended, you can hire professional audio description services to create them for you.
Features You Can Use to Make Your Website Accessible
– Use clear and concise text that is easy to read
– Add alt text to images so that people using screen readers can understand them
– Use videos with captions so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can follow along
– Add audio descriptions to videos to help people who are blind or have low vision understand better
– Use simple and consistent navigation so that people with cognitive impairments can find their way around
– Make sure your website works with assistive technologies like screen readers
Digital accessibility is important so that everyone can have an equal opportunity to engage with technology, regardless of any limitations they may have.
How Many People Use Audio Descriptions in the US?
There are no definitive numbers, but a 2019 study found that between 16 and 35 percent of American adults report some degree of vision loss. This means that a significant portion of the population could benefit from audio descriptions.
Conclusion
Audio descriptions can be a valuable tool for making web content accessible to everyone. By adding them to your site, you can ensure that no one is left behind in the digital world. If you’re not sure how to get started, there are many professional audio description services that can help you create high-quality descriptions for your videos.
