A Quick Guide to Audio Description
You know that captions are essential for making videos accessible to those who can’t hear your audio, but have you considered what your audience is missing if they can't see your screen?
Before you hit “record” on your next video, use this guide to ensure your visual content is understood by everyone.
What is Audio Description?
Audio description makes video content fully understandable for viewers who are unable to see the screen clearly. It’s vital for blind or low-vision viewers, but it also benefits those who are multitasking, experiencing eye strain, or dealing with low-resolution video due to slow internet speeds.
“Audio description (AD) is a narration of meaningful visual information in a video to provide context, clarify speakers, and articulate visual elements.” (Harvard University, n.d.).
When do I need Audio Description?
Not all media needs audio description.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: "If my audience closed their eyes right now, would they miss the point?" If you’re just a “talking head” on camera or using decorative images, you can skip it. But if you’re using a visual to communicate a key point—like a data chart, a map, or a photo that explains a concept—that’s your cue to describe what’s on the screen.
A simple way to remember: If it’s important enough that you’d write alt text for it in a document or webpage, it’s important enough to describe in your video.
How do I add Audio Description?
The easiest way to handle audio description is to build it right into your script. This is called Integrated Audio Description, and it simply means you are describing your visuals as you go. It’s the most efficient way to make your videos accessible–it’s free, requires zero extra software, and saves you from having to edit your audio later.
Integrated Audio Description in Action
The beauty of Integrated Audio Description is that it feels like a natural part of your delivery. It doesn’t feel "extra"—it just feels like a well-explained point. Compare these examples of common slide elements to see how a few extra words can turn a visual hurdle into an accessible insight.
Graphics and Data
Visuals are a powerful way to share data, but they can be a barrier if the speaker assumes everyone can see the screen. Instead of just pointing to a trend, try to describe the "story" the data is telling. This ensures that someone listening—whether they have a visual impairment or are just multitasking—gets the same insight as someone watching.
Links & QR Codes
We’ve all seen a presenter point to a slide and say, "Go here to learn more." But for an audience member who can't see the screen, that instruction is a dead end. Providing a verbal backup for your links and QR codes ensures that everyone has a clear path to the resources you’re sharing.
Contact Information
We often wrap up our videos by offering to stay in touch, but if your contact details are only visible on a slide, that invitation doesn't reach everyone. By simply stating your email or phone number aloud, you make sure that every viewer—regardless of how they are engaging with your content—has the same opportunity to follow up.
Making your videos accessible doesn't inherently require expensive software or hours of extra editing. It just requires a moment of intentionality. By narrating the visual world for your audience, you ensure that no one is left in the dark.
Want to Learn More?
Check out these webinars that occurred in the past year:
- Media Accessibility: Captioning and Audio Description (42:40) - ODA Digital Accessibility Summit (November 2025)
- Audio Description: If Your Eyes Could Speak (1:08:59) - Accessibility Ambassadors (August 2025)
References
Harvard University. (n.d.). Audio description for videos. Digital Accessibility Services. https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/audio-description Office for Digital Accessibility. (n.d.). Video and audio. University of Minnesota. https://accessibility.umn.edu/getting-started/learn-7-core-accessibility-skills/video-audio
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