Navigating Audio Description Compliance: What You Need to Know
Keeping up with the evolving landscape of accessibility laws can be challenging, especially as technology and media rapidly advance. However, staying informed is crucial because businesses, institutions, and organizations are required to provide certain accommodations, including audio description (AD), regardless of their current needs or requests.
Industry-Specific Audio Description Requirements
Government Organizations
Audio description is mandated under The Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The Section 508 refresh, effective since early 2018, requires federal communications and IT to be accessible, including AD for video content. The WCAG 2.0 standards incorporated into Section 508 necessitate both captions and AD.
Audio description is mandated under The Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The Section 508 refresh, effective since early 2018, requires federal communications and IT to be accessible, including AD for video content. The WCAG 2.0 standards incorporated into Section 508 necessitate both captions and AD.
Media and Entertainment
The CVAA, enacted in October 2010, requires accessible communications technologies for everyone, including those with vision impairments. For broadcast TV, commercial stations affiliated with major networks in top markets must provide substantial hours of audio-described programming. Additionally, MVPD systems must offer equivalent AD for national nonbroadcast networks. The ADA further enforces AD for streaming services like Paramount+ and Netflix.
The CVAA, enacted in October 2010, requires accessible communications technologies for everyone, including those with vision impairments. For broadcast TV, commercial stations affiliated with major networks in top markets must provide substantial hours of audio-described programming. Additionally, MVPD systems must offer equivalent AD for national nonbroadcast networks. The ADA further enforces AD for streaming services like Paramount+ and Netflix.
Enterprise Organizations & Corporations
Under Titles II and III of the ADA, enterprise organizations must ensure their training and public videos are accessible. This includes providing audio description for video content. Failing to do so can lead to legal challenges, as seen in various lawsuits, including those involving major corporations like FedEx.
Under Titles II and III of the ADA, enterprise organizations must ensure their training and public videos are accessible. This includes providing audio description for video content. Failing to do so can lead to legal challenges, as seen in various lawsuits, including those involving major corporations like FedEx.
Higher Education
Contrary to the myth that audio description is only necessary upon request, higher education institutions must provide AD to comply with accessibility laws. Public and private colleges receiving federal or state funding must adhere to the Rehabilitation Act and local state laws, respectively, ensuring their content is accessible to all students.
Contrary to the myth that audio description is only necessary upon request, higher education institutions must provide AD to comply with accessibility laws. Public and private colleges receiving federal or state funding must adhere to the Rehabilitation Act and local state laws, respectively, ensuring their content is accessible to all students.
How to Achieve Compliance
Understanding and implementing current audio description laws is vital for accessibility and avoiding legal issues. With 253 million people living with vision impairment, ensuring your content is accessible is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative.
Whether you’re new to audio description or already providing captions, getting started with AD is straightforward. Contact us today to learn how we can help you comply with accessibility requirements and enhance your content for all audiences.
Understanding and implementing current audio description laws is vital for accessibility and avoiding legal issues. With 253 million people living with vision impairment, ensuring your content is accessible is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative.
Whether you’re new to audio description or already providing captions, getting started with AD is straightforward. Contact us today to learn how we can help you comply with accessibility requirements and enhance your content for all audiences.
If you are unsure which services you need please contact us so that we can help guide you along this process.