Articles
At VideoA11y, we’re passionate about making video entertainment accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Our articles explore the latest advancements in video accessibility, share industry best practices, and highlight the work being done to break down barriers in digital media. Whether you’re a developer, content creator, or advocate, read along as we lead the conversation on inclusive design and push the boundaries of accessible video platforms.
Our Most Recent Articles
Creating Video Accessibility Standards
Why Existing Standards Weren’t Enough WCAG and Section 508 set the foundation for accessibility, but they fall short for modern video. Streaming apps, smart TVs, captions, audio description, and text-to-speech navigation create challenges those standards never imagined. Entertainment needed a clear, unified framework that addressed real-world use across platforms and devices. My Role in Building the Framework I led the effort to create the first holistic accessibility standards for video entertainment. To start, I brought together WCAG, Section 508, CVAA, and FCC rules into one unified framework. I then expanded these rules to cover modern needs like remote control navigation, [...]
Case Study: Designing an Accessible Streaming Video Player
When Streaming Isn’t Accessible Streaming is how most of us watch TV and movies, but accessibility still lags behind. Users who rely on screen readers, text-to-speech, captions, or adaptive remotes struggle with simple tasks. Pausing a show or skipping ahead often feels frustrating. Too many companies treat accessibility as a checklist instead of a design principle. Pluto TV set out to change that. The goal was a video player that not only met requirements but delivered a seamless experience for everyone. Researching Existing Gaps in the Market I led this project from the ground up. From the start, I built [...]
Video Accessibility: Removing Barriers to Inclusive Entertainment
In today’s digital age, video content is one of the most powerful and widely consumed forms of media. Whether it’s streaming a favorite show, playing an immersive video game, or catching the latest news broadcast, millions of people rely on video for entertainment, education, and information. Yet, for people with disabilities, accessing video content can still present significant barriers. Video accessibility isn’t just about compliance with legal standards—it’s about guaranteeing that everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to the rich, multi-sensory experiences that video platforms offer. Why Video Accessibility Matters Video accessibility makes certain that people with disabilities can [...]
Accessible Video Scrubbing Controls for Connected TV
At VideoA11y, we're committed to ensuring that video content is accessible to all, including users with motor disabilities. Our recent case study focused on designing accessible video player scrubbing controls for Connected TV apps, optimizing them for diverse user needs. This study improves the usability of video scrubbing controls for remotes, while accounting for the needs of text-to-speech users for accurate script updates. Key Concepts: Accessible Video Scrubbing To better understand the impact of our proposed solutions, let’s define some key terms: Scrubbing: Fast-forwarding or rewinding through a video via a progress bar. Interval: The unit of progress movement on [...]
CTVA Video Accessibility Considerations
The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) of 2023 The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2023 (CVTA) is a landmark legislative proposal that builds on the earlier 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), addressing critical gaps left by the rapid evolution of digital technology. It proposes new standards for video accessibility, communication platforms, and video playback devices, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to these tools. At VideoA11y, we appreciate the care taken for this legislative proposal and are excited to support the video accessibility aspects of the document. Here’s a brief summary [...]
Video Accessibility Design: Key Considerations for Designers
Effective video accessibility design is essential for creating inclusive video players that work for everyone, including those with disabilities. Designers have the power to transform video player experiences by going beyond basic functionality, ensuring that all users can access and enjoy content seamlessly. Below, we explore the key design considerations that can help designers create video players that meet diverse accessibility needs, from motor impairments to sensory disabilities. Accessible Player Controls When thinking about player controls, designers must consider different user needs and the variety of devices they use: Remote Buttons and D-pad Navigation: On platforms with remotes that have [...]
Accessible Video Player Ideation: Empowering Engineers
Creating an accessible video player goes beyond just adding captions or offering audio descriptions—it’s about leveraging technology and innovation to meet the diverse needs of all users, including those with disabilities. Engineers can play a key role in building inclusive platforms by incorporating new features and addressing current gaps in accessibility. Below, we explore ideas inspired by competitive analysis and recent advancements in technology, such as AI-powered pre-processing and innovative control systems, to enhance accessibility in video players. AI Pre-processing for Epilepsy and Trigger Warnings One area that has seen significant potential for accessibility improvement is video content for users [...]
Video Accessibility Innovation: 4 Overlooked Features
In today’s rapidly growing world of video entertainment, video accessibility innovation is more crucial than ever. As connected TV platforms evolve, there are still several underutilized accessibility features that could transform how users with disabilities experience video content. By focusing on these often-overlooked concepts, video players can provide a more inclusive and seamless experience for everyone. Here, we explore four key innovations that can improve video accessibility and user experience. 1. Playback Speed Controls One of the most underutilized features in video players is playback speed control. While some platforms offer the ability to adjust playback speed, this feature isn’t [...]