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Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation
shall be synchronized with the presentation.
When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in
or other application be present on the client system to interpret page
content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies
with §1194.21(a) through (l).
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Note: This page presents Standard (b) first. An explanation
of Standard (m) is provided further in the page.
Explanation - Standard (b)
- Alternatives for Multimedia
The sense of hearing is needed to comprehend meaning in an audio file.
A video may be understood by the user through either the sense of vision
or the sense of hearing, or both. Animations produced by software such
as Macromedia Flash, are similar to video in that understanding the output
relies upon vision, hearing, or both.
It is important to provide alternatives for individuals that are blind
or have partial vision and for people that are deaf or have hearing loss.
Ask the following questions when considering the accessibility of multimedia:
- Could I gather meaning if I can't see the multimedia?
- Could I gather meaning if I can't hear the multimedia?
After answering these questions, you can begin to construct alternative
content. What is alternative content?
Video - Alternative Content
Alternative content for video will include both captions for spoken word
and auditory descriptions of relevant action taking place on the screen.
These alternatives should be synchronized with the action taking place
on the screen. Modern video players support captioning and allow users
to turn the caption on or off.
Audio - Alternative Content
The alternative for audio is a text transcription. The text transcription
should be in HTML form. Rather than listening to the content in the audio
file, the user will read it as they would any other content. This text
transcription needs to be placed in the near vicinity of the audio file.
Ideally, the link to the audio file is accompanied by a second link that
transports users to a web page where they can read the text transcription.
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Example of Accessible Video
"Introduction
to ScreenReaders" with Neal Ewers of the Trace Research Center
is a short video demonstrating how screen readers assist the blind
to navigate the web, access the electronic page, and more. Please
note this is a 12mb file so it will be slow to download using a
modem connection. Copies of this video can be purchased from the
UW Madison, DoIT Tech Store, (608) 262-7253. This video requires
the QuickTime
player.
A transcription
of the screen reader video was added to the movie using MAGpie.
*NOTE: While watching the movie, you can click the
"CC" icon at the bottom of the movie screen to see a closed caption as
illustrated by the image below.
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Techniques
for Creating Accessible Alternatives
Video - Accessible Alternatives
Video files require captioning. Captioning functionality is available
in video editing software such as Adobe Premier and Sonic Foundry's Video
Factory. This online course is not the appropriate forum to present the
techniques for captioning video in professional video editing software
such as Video Factory or Premier. Captioning can also be completed using
the National Center for Accessible Media's (NCAM) MagPie application.
MagPie is free and can be downloaded
from the NCAM web site. Directions for its use are also available
at the NCAM site.
One of hurdles to clear in developing a caption is to generate the text.
Some speakers may script their content prior to delivery. There are organizations
that will generate text transcriptions for captioning from video. These
services are not free.
Audio - Accessible Alternatives
The accessible alternative for audio is a text transcription. A text
transcription should be stored as a HTML file. Keep this file as simple
as possible. Make the transcription available as a hyperlink immediately
preceding or following the audio link.
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Explanation - Standard
(m) - Proper Notification for Plug-Ins
Standard (m) requires that if a plug-in
is required to view information, the user needs to be able to acquire
the necessary plug-in. Plug-ins include the Quicktime player, Real
player, Macromedia's Flash player, etc.
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Technique for Providing Access
to a Plug-In
This requirement is easily satisfied. A designer needs to place directions
for plug-in download near any link that activates a plug-in. The following
paragraph is copied from earlier in this page. It fulfills the requirement
of Standard (m).
"Introduction
to ScreenReaders" with Neal Ewers of the Trace Research Center is
a short video demonstrating how screen readers assist the blind to navigate
the web, access the electronic page, and more. Please note this is a 12mb
file so it will be slow to download using a modem connection. Copies of
this video can be purchased from the UW Madison, DoIT Tech Store, (608)
262-7253. This video requires the QuickTime
player.
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Other Considerations
There are instances where a reliance upon solid judgment and/or pedagogy
is necessary. An example.
A professor is leading a study of speech impediments. This professor
has video taped a child speaking about a book that he has read. Students
are assigned a project that requires them to view the video and analyze
the child's speech. To complete this assignment, the student needs to
hear the student speaking.
What is appropriate captioning for this child's speech? Surely, the caption
shouldn't include a description of the child's impediment characteristics
as this would defeat the purpose of the assignment. This situation has
undoubtedly happened in the past, before the age of on-line courses. How
would the faculty member have accommodated a student that is deaf or hard
of hearing in the classroom for this assignment? Faculty may need to rely
upon pedagogy to guide their instruction and plan for appropriate accommodations
as they arise. One possible solution... Remember that all web pages need
to provide contact information. The University's
policy point three requires this information. Providing this contact
information near the video is surely a step in the correct direction.
At the very least, a student is able to notify the instructor that a problem
exists.
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Validation Technique(s)
The testing measures that follow can be used to evaluate compliancy of
your web page(s) with the concepts presented for Standard (b) and Standard
(m).
Standard (b)
- search the site for all audio files - is a text transcription provided
in the immediate vicinity of the audio file
- view all video clips and evaluate whether captioning is embedded
- use up-to-date JAWS or Window-Eyes screen readers to listen to Flash
animations
Standard (m)
- search the site for all files that will require the use of a plug-in
(PDF, Quicktime, etc.) - is a link to the plug-in vendor available
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 complete
the multimedia self-assessment
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