Section 508 Standard for Video or Multimedia Products
Video or Multimedia Products (1194.24)
Multimedia products involve more than one media and include, but are not limited to, video programs, narrated slide production, and computer generated presentations. Provisions address caption decoder circuitry (for any system with a screen larger than 13 inches) and secondary audio channels for television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers. The standards also require captioning and audio description for certain training and informational multimedia productions developed or procured by Federal agencies. The standards also provide that viewers be able to turn captioning or video description features on or off.
Section 508 & Video Creation
Captions
In order for your videos to be accessible for those with hearing disability, your video needs to offer captions. Many video editing software solutions allow you to caption your audio.
Many video hosting websites, such as YouTube, can automatically caption audio, but not to 100% accuracy.
Any major parts of the video that contain images, music, or sounds that impact the meaning of the video need to be mentioned in the captions.
Transcripts
In cases where you cannot caption video, you need to provide a transcript of the video in a machine readable document. A transcript is a word-for-word textual representation of the audio, including descriptions of non-text sounds.
Color Use
Do not rely on the use of color to convey meaning in your video. Make sure to use high contrast colors in your video. It's best to use light colored backgrounds and dark colored text. Avoid green and red combinations.
