Video and audio can make a survey more engaging, but they need a few extras to stay accessible for everyone. This guide applies to any media you embed in survey pages, for example a YouTube video in a page description.
Provide captions
Any pre-recorded video with speech needs synchronised captions for deaf and hard of hearing viewers. YouTube’s automatic captions are a starting point, but always review and correct them before sharing your survey; automatic captions regularly mishear names and terminology.
- WCAG 2.2 checkpoints: 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (A)
Provide transcripts
For audio-only content, provide a text transcript in the survey page near the media. Transcripts also help people who prefer reading, and anyone in a situation where they can’t play sound.
- WCAG 2.2 checkpoints: 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (A)
Describe what’s on screen
If a video contains important visual information that isn’t described in its soundtrack, blind and partially sighted viewers will miss it. The simplest approach is to script your videos so the narration describes what’s on screen; otherwise, provide audio description or a descriptive transcript.
- WCAG 2.2 AA checkpoints: 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (AA)
Don’t autoplay
Audio that starts automatically interferes with screen readers, which speak over it. Don’t set media to autoplay. If audio must play automatically for longer than three seconds, provide an obvious way to pause or stop it.
- WCAG 2.2 checkpoints: 1.4.2 Audio Control (A)
Avoid flashing content
Content must not flash more than three times per second, as this can trigger seizures.
- WCAG 2.2 checkpoints: 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (A)
Keep the question in text
Always ask your question in text. Media should support a question, never replace it; a respondent who can’t play or perceive the media must still be able to understand and answer.
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