Audio Description: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is audio description?

Audio description is spoken narration that describes important visual information in a video for people who cannot see it. This includes things like on‑screen text, graphics, actions, scene changes, and visual context that are not already explained through dialogue or narration.

2. How is audio description different from captions?

Captions provide text for spoken audio and sound effects for people who cannot hear the video.
Audio description does the opposite: it provides spoken descriptions of visual elements for people who cannot see them.
Most accessible videos need both captions and audio description.

3. How do I know if a video needs audio description?

A simple test discussed in the workshop is:

  • Close your eyes and listen to the video.
  • Ask yourself: Would someone still understand what’s happening and get the intended message?

If the answer is no, the video likely needs audio description. 

4. If my video already has narration, do I still need audio description?

Not always.
If the narration already clearly explains everything happening visually (including text, actions, and context), additional audio description may not be necessary.
However, many videos still rely on visuals that are never spoken aloud, so each video needs to be evaluated individually. 

5. Who is responsible for creating audio descriptions?

The responsibility ultimately lies with the department or unit that owns and publishes the video.
That work can be done:

  • In‑house by planning narration carefully during production, or
  • Through a third‑party service such as 3Play Media for existing videos. 

6. What is 3Play Media, and when should we use it?

3Play Media is a third‑party service that can create captions and audio descriptions for existing videos.
It is best used for:

  • Videos that already exist
  • Videos that cannot be easily re‑recorded
  • Short, high‑value public‑facing content

For new videos, baking description into the narration is usually more sustainable. 

7. How much does audio description cost?

Costs vary by length and complexity.
The workshop noted that fully “extended” audio‑described videos created by a third party are significantly more expensive than narration planned during production, and costs increase quickly with longer videos.
Because of this, proactive planning is strongly encouraged. 

8. How much extra time does audio description add?

Third‑party audio description typically adds several days to a production timeline, and faster turnaround costs more.
Departments should plan for additional lead time when using external services.

9. Do YouTube and Vimeo support audio description?

  • YouTube supports additional audio tracks when the description fits within the original runtime.
  • Vimeo does not currently support separate audio‑description tracks, which often requires posting a second, audio‑described version. 

10. Do we need one video or two versions?

It depends:

  • If audio description fits into natural pauses, one video may work.
  • If the video must pause or extend to add description, a second audio‑described version is usually required.

Providing two versions also preserves viewer choice. 

11. How should we handle audio‑described videos embedded on a website?

The recommended approach is to:

  • Embed the standard video
  • Provide a clearly labeled link to the audio‑described version nearby

You do not need to embed both versions on the page. 

12. What about social media videos or reels with music and no narration?

Captions alone are not sufficient, because captions are visual.
If a video relies entirely on visuals and music, some form of description must be provided, such as:

  • Written descriptions in the post text or comments, or
  • Narration that explains what is happening. 

13. Do logos, intro screens, or donor slides need to be described?

Yes.
If visual elements are important enough to appear in the video (such as logos, donor names, or recognition slides), they should be included in the audio description so all viewers receive the same information. 

14. Are private or unlisted videos exempt?

  • Private videos are generally exempt, since only the owner can access them.
  • Unlisted videos still require audio description if they are linked from a website or shared broadly.
  • Content shared with a known, limited audience may not require remediation unless it is reused later. If you are not sure, provide audio descriptions.

15. Do live events need audio description?

Live events do not require audio description while live.
However, once a recording of the event is reused or published, it becomes recorded media and does require audio description. 

16. How should screen‑recordings or software demos be described?

Describe actions and fields by name, not by visual location.
For example:

  • Say “select the email field”
  • Avoid “click the button on the right”

This avoids relying on visual orientation. 

17. Are there tools in Blackboard for audio description?

Yes.
Blackboard’s built‑in video tools will allow creators to insert text‑based descriptions that are read aloud during playback, making it easier to create accessible instructional videos. This functionality is coming later this month (April 2026).

18. Will there be training or documentation?

Yes.
The group committed to creating:

  • Training materials
  • Example workflows
  • A best‑practices document informed by these workshops

Additional training sessions were also discussed.

19. Can student workers create audio descriptions?

Yes.
Student workers can create accessible videos if they are given clear guidelines and their work is reviewed.
Not all audio description must be professionally outsourced. 

20. What should we do about flipbooks or interactive media?

Flipbooks and similar embedded media often create accessibility problems.
Short‑term guidance was to remove or archive them.
Long‑term, information should be presented in accessible HTML formats, with visual versions offered as optional alternatives.