The short version
- Caption all speech, and note important sounds.
- Say what's on screen when it matters to understanding.
- Use large, high-contrast text on screen long enough to read.
- Avoid rapid flashing and harsh strobe effects.
- Keep speech clear and music well below it.
Why it matters
Accessibility means people with disabilities can perceive and understand your video. It also helps viewers in noisy places, people watching on mute, non-native speakers and anyone who prefers to read along. For organisations, accessibility may also be a legal or policy requirement — standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are widely used as a benchmark, so check what applies to you.
Captions and transcripts
- Caption all dialogue and narration, accurately and in sync.
- Identify speakers when it isn't obvious who is talking.
- Include meaningful sounds: [laughter], [doorbell rings], [upbeat music].
- Offer a transcript alongside the video where you can — it helps people using screen readers and is easy to search.
- Platform captions vs burned-in: platform caption files can be turned on and off and resized by viewers; burned-in captions always show. Using both is common for social media.
For timing and styling, see our captions guide.
Describe what matters
If information is only shown visually — a chart, a written step, a product detail, text on a sign — blind and low-vision viewers miss it. The simplest fix is to say it out loud as you go: "as you can see, sales doubled in March" instead of "as you can see here". For longer or more visual videos, a separately narrated audio-described version is the fullest solution.
Readable text and contrast
- Large, simple fonts — avoid thin, script or decorative fonts for important information.
- Strong contrast between text and background. An outline or box style keeps text readable over changing footage.
- Enough time to read — a common rule of thumb is to leave text up long enough to read it twice.
- Don't rely on colour alone — "the red option" means nothing to someone who can't distinguish red. Add labels or shapes.
See our text guide for styling tips.
Flashing and motion
Rapid flashing can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, and intense motion can cause discomfort for others. Accessibility guidelines generally advise against content that flashes more than three times in any one second.
- Avoid strobe effects and rapid flash transitions in quick succession.
- Be careful with fast cuts between very bright and very dark shots.
- Use shake and spin effects sparingly.
- Add a warning at the start if flashing is unavoidable, such as in concert footage.
Clear audio
Clear speech helps people who are hard of hearing, and anyone listening in a noisy place. Record close to the mic, keep music well below speech, and avoid long sections where important words are drowned out by sound effects. See our voiceover guide.
Accessibility checklist
- All speech is captioned accurately, with speakers and key sounds identified.
- Important visual information is also spoken or described.
- Text is large, high-contrast and on screen long enough.
- Colour is never the only way information is shown.
- No rapid flashing; a warning is included if flashing can't be avoided.
- Speech is clear, with music and effects kept lower.
- A transcript is available where possible.
In the free VDOAPP editor, add burned-in captions in the Text tab using the Box or Outline style, lower music in the Audio tab, and prefer Dissolve over Flash transitions.