Audio Description for Video Content

What Is Audio Description?

Audio description (AD) is a narration track added to a video that describes visual content not conveyed through dialogue or ambient sound — things like on-screen text, meaningful actions, and visual context that a sighted viewer would take for granted. Audio description ensures that people who are blind or have low vision can access the same information as sighted viewers.

Audio description is required under WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.2.5 (Level AA), which applies to all pre-recorded video content that contains visual information not available in the audio track alone.

The deadline for compliance is April 24, 2026.

Example Audio Description Video

This is an example of a video remediated to provide audio description. This is an example of the "extended" audio descirption format, where the video pauses to include description of the visual elements.  The other format, called "standard," uses available space within the existing video timeline to insert descriptions -- so that the final audio described video does not need to be longer.   

What You Need to Do

Web Site

  1. Remove links and embeds of video that are no longer needed. If a video has no current purpose, removing it is the simplest path to compliance.
  2. Retain a video only if it is still needed — and if you do, it must have audio description. See the Audio Description Process below.

YouTube and Other Video Hosting Platforms

  1. If a video posted before April 24, 2026 is not in active use, move it to a playlist or folder clearly labeled "Archive." Videos created or posted after April 24 must have audio description.

Social Media

  1. Videos posted after April 24, 2026 must include audio description.

The Audio Description Process

Before requesting audio description services, ask yourself:

  • Is all content-bearing visual information already described in the audio?
  • Is on-screen text is read aloud or paraphrased? 
  • are actions are described in dialogue?
  • is anything meaningful is conveyed only through visuals?

If so, then no separate audio description track is necessary — the video already meets the standard naturally. 

If visual content is not fully described in the audio, you have three options:

  1. Request AD from the Media Resources Center (MRC). Contact us at mrc@wichita.edu to request audio description service for your video. The MRC can facilitate the work, but there will be fees associated with this work (as much as $15-16/ minute, and the process will take 4-7 days to complete).
  2. Create your own AD version. You may produce an audio described version of the video yourself. Contact the MRC if you need guidance on how to do this.
  3. Provide a text alternative. If audio description is not feasible, write a complete description of the video that conveys the same information a sighted viewer would receive — including visual actions, on-screen text, and other visual context. Post this description alongside the video, or link to it from the page where the video appears.

Questions? Contact the MRC at mrc@wichita.edu.