Enhancing Accessibility: Best Practices for Audio Descriptions (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Audio Descriptions at a Glance. Hi, I'm Nikesh from Microsoft, and I want to tell you about audio descriptions. As a person who is blind, I rely on audio descriptions to tell me what's happening visually on the screen. Let me show you an example.

Speaker 2: Laura is passionate about acting. She's even a repeat lead in her community theater group.

Speaker 3: By framing her, the desk becomes a lighted vanity.

Speaker 1: I knew that Laura was working in her office, and backstage decor was being drawn around her. I didn't need to see the screen to know this because of audio descriptions. Here are three best practices for including audio description in your videos. First, make sure the script indicates that title bars should be voiced. Do you remember the very beginning of this video? Audio Descriptions at a Glance. Unlike many online videos, this one had audio narration on the title card. If there's text on screen, then it should be part of the dialogue. Otherwise, I won't know what it says. Second, try writing script with dialogue that explains what's happening on screen. If you do this, then audio description is not necessary. Oh, a delivery. I wonder what's in this cardboard box. I'm reaching out to grab it. It was in the script. This video follows my point too. Third, ask for help with writing audio descriptions if you need it. There are lots of great companies that can help you out. Thanks for your time and attention. I'm floating away now. There was a bundle of colorful helium balloons in that delivery box.