Multimedia (Video and Audio)
Multimedia content, especially video and audio files, can be an effective way to explain services, share updates and tell FOA’s story. To be accessible, multimedia content needs to be usable by people who cannot hear audio, see visuals or process information in real time.
Accessible multimedia benefits everyone. Captions help people in noisy or quiet environments, transcripts support searching and reuse, and clear audio improves understanding across audiences.
How Multimedia Content Is Typically Handled in FOA
Most multimedia files in FOA are created by the FOA Communications team, in partnership with departments and program staff.
Managers and staff members are encouraged to:
- Consult with FOA Comms early when planning video or multimedia.
- Work with FOA Comms to help create or publish content as much as possible.
This collaborative approach helps ensure accessibility is built in from the start and reduces the need for later updates. (And uing an award-winning communications team helps you look good too!)
Video Accessibility Basics
At a minimum, accessible video should include:
- Accurate captions for spoken content.
- Clear audio with minimal background noise.
- Visuals that support (not replace) the spoken message.
When visuals convey essential information that is not spoken, that information should also be communicated through narration or accompanying text.
Captions and transcripts
Captions are required for most publicly available videos. Common video platforms used at UC Davis support captioning:
- YouTube provides automatic captions that can be reviewed and edited for accuracy.
- Aggie Video is available to UC Davis staff, faculty, and student groups, and includes captioning features.
Automatic captions are a strong starting point, but they should be reviewed for accuracy, especially for names, acronyms and technical terms.
Transcripts, which are published as a separate document or as text on the same page as the media, are recommended for:
- Audio-only content.
- Longer videos.
- Content that is instructional or informational.
Audio-only Content
For podcasts or audio clips:
- Provide a text transcript.
- Ensure the audio is clear and well paced.
- Avoid relying on sound alone to convey meaning.
This ensures the content is usable by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, while also supporting broader accessibility needs.
When Planning Multimedia Content
A few early decisions make accessibility much easier later:
- Plan for captions from the start.
- Avoid embedding essential text only in visuals.
- Speak key information aloud.
- Keep videos concise and focused.
If accessibility is considered during planning, the production and publishing process is usually straightforward.
What You Can Do
If you are considering creating video or multimedia content:
- Contact FOA Communications early in the process.
- Use campus-supported platforms when possible.
- Review automatic captions for accuracy.
- Ask for guidance if you’re unsure about accessibility requirements.
You do not need to navigate this alone! Support is available by contacting a colleague in FOA Communications or by emailing [email protected].
How this work is supported
FOA coordinates multimedia accessibility through collaboration with the Communications Office and use of campus-supported platforms and tools.
As tools and best practices evolve, guidance will continue to be updated and shared.