Video content presents unique accessibility challenges. Video is typically paired with audio, so your audio (narration, interview dialogue, background music, etc.) and video must both be accessible. In the event someone is unable to view your video, the audio should provide the necessary content and context. If someone is unable to hear your audio, the video should provide the necessary content and context.
Videos are made accessible primarily through captions and transcripts. Section508.gov explains the difference between captions and transcripts as follows:
Transcripts are the output of a process in which speech or audio is converted into a written, plain text document. Transcripts do not have time-coded information associated with them. Captions divide transcripts into blocks of text, known as “caption frames,” which are time-coded and synchronized with the audio of a video.
Kaltura
Kaltura is GGC’s primary video hosting and recording solution for faculty, staff, and students. It is integrated with MyCourses and exists outside of MyCourses as MediaSpace. Kaltura supports features like:
- Webcam-recording
- Screen-recording
- Audio-recording
- Automatic transcriptions and captions
- Professional captioning services
- Embedded video quizzes
Review the following tips for making your video content accessible.
Recording Tips
Content Design
Content and Context
Videos should be effective at communicating your intended message. There should be a reasonable relation between the content of your video and the related context of the lesson or purpose behind the video. Some editing techniques can enhance the message of your video, like adding annotations like circles or arrows to emphasize certain parts of the screen.
Some editing techniques, however, should be avoided for accessibility reasons. For example, flashing images are rarely necessary for content or context. If they are considered necessary, they should flash no more than three times per second, per international accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 A).
Videos are much easier to make accessible in the scripting/planning phase rather than retrofitting accessibility at production time or after publication. Consider the following questions when planning your video.
- Do the design elements in the video, the narration/dialogue, and sequence of information communicate my message?
- What do I want viewers to take away from this video?
Color
When it comes to visual content, color contrast is an essential accessibility concern. Context can be lost when foreground (usually text) and background colors are too similar, or if they are dissimilar but do not have enough contrast.
For more information on color and accessibility, review our Microsoft Office Accessibility Tips.
Size
Try to design content that will not lose much meaning and effectiveness on a much smaller screen. A lot of video content is viewed from mobile devices and tablets. If your video is a recording of a PowerPoint presentation with some slides that are text-heavy, additional context must be given. Without providing context or a narration of the slide text, users with visual impairments and users on small screens will lose needed content or context.
Narration
Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. This will reduce the amount of transcript/caption editing you have to do before publishing.
- All videos uploaded to Kaltura will receive automatic machine captions. You can edit Kaltura machine captioning if needed.
- Professional captioning is also available with Kaltura. Professional captions are reserved for videos that are widely viewed (such as videos embedded in a template course) or for videos in courses where a student with a disability accommodation letter is enrolled.
- Zoom supports live captioning.
- Microsoft Teams also supports live captioning for meetings.
Narration Tips
We might not realize it at the time, but our default word choices can be unintentionally inaccessible. A lot of our standard word choices are linked with visual cues. A simple fix is offering a brief description. Review the following examples comparing what we may be accustomed to saying with an improved, more descriptive version.
Original wording: “As you can see on this chart, sales increased significantly from the first quarter to the second quarter.”
Improved wording: “This chart shows that sales increased significantly, from 1 million in the first quarter to 1.3 million in the second quarter.”
Original wording: “Stir the mixture until it looks like this.”
Improved wording: “Stir the mixture until the oil, vinegar, and spices are well combined.”
Original wording: “Attach this to the green end.”
Improved wording: “Attach the small ring to the green end, which is the larger end.”
But what about…?
What about YouTube?
The transcript and captioning features of Kaltura make it a preferable option compared to YouTube. YouTube videos can be pulled into Kaltura to offer a more accessible player experience for viewers.
What about the MyCourses Media Library?
The MyCourses Media Library is acceptable for recording assignment feedback. However, it is better to use Kaltura for the transcript and captioning features.
What about Microsoft Stream?
- For faculty, uploading to Kaltura through MyCourses is preferable.
- Microsoft Stream is Microsoft’s video hosting platform. If you store a video in OneDrive or SharePoint, it will open in Stream. However, for sharing and distribution purposes, Kaltura MediaSpace is still the preferred option.
Upcoming Workshop
Accessibility Tips: Videos
Thursday, March 26, 2026 (2 – 3 p.m.)
Resources
- Accessibility Resources
- Kaltura
- Kaltura Captioning
- Kaltura: Access Video Transcripts
- Kaltura: Edit/Correct Closed Captions
- Kaltura: Professional Captioning Tags
- Section508.gov: Captions and Transcripts
Need Help?
Contact the GGC Help Desk
Email: helpdesk@ggc.edu | Web: helpdesk.ggc.edu | Phone: 678-407-5611
Check status.ggc.edu for system and services availability.
Learn more in IT Workshops – OR- Schedule a 1-1 Consultation