Multimedia content is a powerful way to showcase your performances, exhibitions, and venue. But without proper accessibility features, you might be excluding a significant portion of your potential audience.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 1.3 billion people (about 1 in 6 globally) experience significant disability. This includes 430 million people with disabling hearing loss and 295 million with visual impairments.
For arts and culture venues, accessibility isn't just about compliance. It's about ensuring your creative content reaches everyone.
Essential components of accessible media
1. Captions
Captions are text versions of spoken content and important sounds. They make your content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they also benefit viewers in noisy environments, those learning a language, or anyone who processes information better through text.
There are three main types of captions:
- Closed captions: User-toggleable text that can be turned on or off
- Open captions: Always visible text that's embedded directly into the video
- Live captions: Real-time transcription for livestreams and live events
For your captions to be truly effective, they should:
- Be accurately synchronised with the audio
- Include speaker identification when multiple people are talking
- Note important sounds beyond dialogue e.g. [Dramatic music swells], [Door slams]
- Include musical descriptions where relevant for arts performances
- Follow a consistent style throughout
Example of accessible captions for a performance clip:
[Piano Sonata No. 14 plays softly]
SARAH CHEN (Artistic Director): Our new season brings together classical and contemporary works to create dialogue across centuries.
[Music crescendos]
[Audience applauds enthusiastically]
2. Transcripts
While captions appear alongside video content, transcripts are standalone text documents that provide the full content of your audio or video. These are particularly important for podcast episodes, audio interviews, or any content where a user might want to skim or search for specific information.
Effective transcripts should:
- Provide a complete text version of all spoken content
- Include descriptions of important visual information for video content
- Be structured with headings, paragraphs and speaker identification
- Be available in a downloadable, accessible format
- Include timestamps for longer content to aid navigation
3. Audio descriptions
Audio descriptions provide narration of important visual elements for people with blindness or low vision. This narration describes actions, scenery, costumes, facial expressions, and other visual information that isn't conveyed through dialogue alone.
Creating effective audio descriptions requires:
- Clear, concise descriptions of relevant visual elements
- Strategic timing to fit descriptions between dialogue
- A neutral tone that doesn't interpret or explain, but simply describes
- Balance between providing necessary detail without overwhelming listeners
Practical implementation for venues
Performance videos
Performance recordings present unique accessibility challenges because they often contain complex visual and audio elements that are integral to the experience.
When creating accessible performance videos:
- Include both wide shots and details in your video editing to help viewers follow the action
- Balance stage audio and close-up audio to ensure dialogue and music are clear
- Include descriptions of atmospheric elements in captions e.g. [Tense silence], [Medieval folk music]
- Note significant staging or scenic changes in audio descriptions
Here’s an example of an accessible audio description for a theatre performance:
"Macbeth enters from stage left, dagger in hand. The lighting shifts to deep red as he approaches the sleeping king. His hands tremble as he raises the weapon."
This audio description conveys crucial visual information that enhances understanding of the performance.
Virtual tours and venue overviews
Virtual tours help potential visitors familiarise themselves with your venue before arriving. To make these accessible:
- Provide clear, descriptive narration that orients viewers to the space
- Include directional information e.g. "To the left of the main entrance"
- Describe spatial relationships between different areas
- Maintain steady pacing to allow viewers to process the information
For example:
"As we enter the main foyer, the grand staircase rises directly ahead. To the right, large windows overlook the sculpture garden. The ticket desk is located to the left, with the accessible lift just beyond it."
Promotional content
Marketing materials often rely heavily on visual appeal, but can still be made accessible:
- Balance visual and audio information so key messages are conveyed through both channels
- Provide text alternatives for important visual messages
- Consider creating multiple versions of promotional content optimised for different needs
- Always include accessibility information about the event or exhibition being promoted
Technical requirements and best practices
Video player accessibility
The platform and player you use to host your multimedia content should:
- Have keyboard-accessible controls (not requiring a mouse)
- Allow for adjustable playback speeds
- Support caption customisation (size, colour, font)
- Include high-contrast controls that are easy to identify
Popular accessible video platforms include YouTube and Vimeo as they both support captions and keyboard navigation. For more specialised needs, consider players like Able Player or OzPlayer that are designed specifically for accessibility.
Audio quality considerations
Even the best captions and descriptions won't compensate for poor audio quality. Ensure your multimedia has:
- Clear speech with proper microphone placement
- Balanced sound levels between speakers
- Minimal background noise or echo
- Good separation between dialogue, music, and effects
Creating an accessibility-first workflow
Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, build it into your content creation process:
Plan for accessibility
- Include captioning and description in your budget and timeline
- Consider accessibility needs during scripting and storyboarding
- Allocate time for quality checks and user testing
Create consistent templates
- Develop style guides for captions and descriptions
- Create standard frameworks for transcripts
- Maintain consistent formatting across your content
Review and test thoroughly
- Test your content with screen readers
- Watch without sound to evaluate caption clarity
- Listen without visuals to assess audio descriptions
- If possible, get feedback from users with disabilities
Train your team
- Ensure content creators understand accessibility requirements
- Provide resources and guidelines for creating accessible content
- Share successful examples and best practices
Additional considerations for arts and culture content
Sign language interpretation
For some members of the Deaf community, sign language is their primary language, and they may prefer sign language interpretation over captions.
- Consider including sign language interpretation for key promotional videos or important announcements
- Position the interpreter in a clearly visible area of the frame
- Ensure the interpreter is well-lit and wearing clothing that contrasts with their skin tone
- If your audience is international, consider including both regional and international sign languages
Content warnings and notifications
Some multimedia content may contain elements that could trigger seizures or other adverse reactions:
- Add warnings for content with flashing lights or strobe effects
- Include notices about loud sounds or potentially distressing content
- Allow users to skip potentially problematic sections
Multilingual accessibility
If your venue serves a diverse community:
- Provide captions and transcripts in multiple languages
- Consider voice-over translations for audio descriptions
- Include language selection options that are easy to locate and use
Beyond compliance
Making your multimedia accessible isn't just about meeting legal requirements. It's about creating inclusive experiences that reflect your venue's commitment to serving all audiences. Accessible content often benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities, by providing multiple ways to engage with your content.
By implementing these practices, you'll reach a wider audience while demonstrating your venue's values of inclusion and accessibility in everything you do.
Remember that accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Start with the basics, seek guidance from those with lived experiences of disability, and continuously improve your approach to ensure your digital content is as accessible as your physical space.
Let’s make culture accessible to all
- Want to make your website more accessible?
All CultureSuite customers can take advantage of our comprehensive accessibility audit at discounted rates. Just get in touch to register your interest and we’ll get you onto the programme. Get in touch. - Need guidance on accessibility for your venue?
If you're not currently a CultureSuite customer, we recommend connecting with our trusted accessibility partners in your region. For venues in the Netherlands and Belgium, reach out to Digitaal Toegankelijk. UK venues should contact Accessible by Design. - Want to see how Peppered works?
We’re proud of how easy we make it for venues to manage their website. That’s why live event venues around the world trust Peppered. Book a personalised demo. - Looking to partner with us?
If you’re a technology provider, design agency or supplier for the arts and culture sector, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here. - Want to learn more about digital tools for venues?
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