With 27% of the European population over 16 living with disabilities, accessible videos and content is more than a courtesy—it’s essential. Starting June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will require all audio and video content to be accessible across consumer-facing websites, apps, and more.
But, this isn’t just about meeting regulations. People with disabilities in Europe control £16 billion in annual spending, making accessibility good business. Inclusive content, with captions, audio descriptions, and screen reader compatibility, ensures your message reaches everyone.
Read on to learn how accessible videos can help your brand meet WCAG Level AA standards and connect with a wider audience.
Does your content comply with the EAA? Download our free checklist and find out!
Free download nowWhat are Accessible Videos?
Accessible videos allow everyone, including those with disabilities, to engage with your content. Unlike standard videos, they include captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions so people with visual or hearing impairments can fully understand the content.
Captions provide text for dialogue and audio elements, while audio descriptions narrate critical visuals for those with visual impairments, expanding your audience reach. Following WCAG, accessible videos address various sensory needs: captions benefit those who are hard of hearing, and audio descriptions aid visually impaired users.
An accessible video player supports assistive technology, like screen readers, enabling easy navigation for all users. Features like auto-generated captions also assist non-native speakers and users in noisy environments.
Accessible videos improve SEO by making content readable for search engines. Transcripts add text-based context, enhancing both discoverability and web accessibility.
Key Elements of Accessible Videos
Creating an accessible video ensures everyone, including people with disabilities, can engage with your content.
Let’s explore the essential components like captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions that help make your video content more inclusive and accessible.
Captions and Subtitles
Captions make video and audio content accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing text descriptions of dialogue, sound effects, and other important audio elements.
There are two types: closed captions, which can be toggled on or off (common on platforms like YouTube), and open captions, which are permanently visible, ideal for devices that don’t support caption options.
Captions are also useful in loud or quiet environments, making content accessible in various contexts and enhancing SEO by making on-screen text readable by search engines. This improves video discoverability online.
Unlike captions, subtitles primarily translate spoken content for those who can hear the audio but don’t understand the language.
Transcripts
Transcripts are essential for video accessibility, providing a complete text version of the video’s content. They benefit users who can’t watch videos due to visual impairments, tech limitations, or sound restrictions, ensuring everyone gets the same information.
Unlike captions, transcripts are standalone documents, allowing users to read or search for specific content quickly. They also make audio-only formats accessible, giving users more flexibility.
Transcripts improve SEO by enabling search engines to index content, boosting discoverability and rankings. Including transcripts on your site keeps your media accessible and easily searchable.
Audio Descriptions
Audio descriptions make visual content accessible for blind or visually impaired individuals by providing an extra audio track that narrates essential visual elements, like actions and settings. This ensures users can follow along even when visuals aren’t accessible.
Following W3C Level AA standards, audio descriptions are required when videos include crucial visual information not conveyed through sound alone. Leading brands like Netflix use audio descriptions to make content inclusive and accessible to everyone.
High-quality audio descriptions should fit within natural pauses in the original audio, ensuring clarity without overlapping critical sounds or dialogue.
Does your content comply with the EAA? Download our free checklist and find out!
Free download nowVideo Accessibility Examples from Leading Brands
Top brands like Samsung, Adidas, and Asus are advancing video accessibility, creating inclusive content for all users.
Samsung
Samsung’s Galaxy devices offer Live Captions for real-time transcriptions of audio content, aiding users who are hard of hearing. Additionally, Samsung’s Relumino Mode enhances visual content for low-vision users, optimising colours and text for a better viewing experience.
Adidas
Adidas integrates sign language, descriptive transcripts, and captions in its videos to support users with hearing impairments. This approach ensures all viewers receive consistent messaging, fostering inclusivity.
Asus
Asus includes closed captions and sound descriptions in product videos, adhering to international standards. These features enhance accessibility, ensuring all users can fully engage with their content.
Best Practices for Video Accessibility
Creating accessible videos is essential for ensuring your content is inclusive and usable by everyone. Here are some best practices that make your videos accessible across platforms while keeping compliance in mind.
Use Proper Video Formats
Opt for formats like MP4 that work on various devices. Use video players supporting closed captions and descriptive transcripts to aid users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo offer built-in accessibility features—just make sure they’re properly enabled.
Keep Accessibility Compliance in Mind
Follow WCAG guidelines by including closed captions and transcripts, which aid viewers who can’t hear or prefer reading. Level AA compliance requires audio descriptions for essential visuals like graphs or animations, helping users with low or no vision.
Remember, accessibility doesn’t just improve inclusiveness; it also helps optimise content for search algorithms, as transcripts and captions provide text data that can be indexed.
Tools and Resources for Accessible Video Creation
DemoUp Cliplister’s EAA compliance modules provide specialised tools for accessible video content, meeting EAA standards with features such as AI-generated captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for viewers with visual and hearing impairments.
Unlike standard platforms, DemoUp Cliplister syndicates the content to all retailers in our network, so it’s the same everywhere, ensuring all videos stay fully compliant regardless of where they’re displayed.
Our resources and expert guidance keep you up-to-date with accessibility standards, helping you reach a wider audience.
Ready to make accessibility an integral part of your strategy? Discover DemoUp Cliplister’s modules today to see how accessible videos can elevate your brand.
Conclusion
Ensuring your video content meets web accessibility standards is more than just a compliance check—it’s about effectively reaching and engaging a wider audience.
Making video files accessible, such as by adding captions and transcripts, not only helps people with disabilities but also enhances SEO and usability, making it easier for everyone to enjoy videos.
Are you ready to elevate your content? Book a free consultation today and see how easy it is to create accessible videos that benefit all viewers.
Make Your Videos EAA Compliant
Demo our EAA video module to see how to create and embed accessible videos at 450+ online shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about creating accessible videos for products.
Accessible videos include features like captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts to ensure content is usable by viewers with disabilities.
Accessible videos expand reach, improve inclusivity, and enhance user experience for those with hearing or visual impairments.
Key features of accessible videos are closed captions, descriptive transcripts, and audio descriptions to support diverse viewing needs.
Yes, captions are essential for accessible videos, helping those who are deaf or hard of hearing understand spoken content.
Accessible videos often rank better, as captions and transcripts provide text for search engines, improving discoverability.
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