Creating Accessible and Inclusive Video Courses: A Guide

Ensuring your video courses are accessible and inclusive is essential. Not only does it meet ethical and legal standards, but it also enhances the learning experience and expands your audience's reach. Studies have consistently shown that accessibility benefits both individuals with disabilities and the broader audience, resulting in increased engagement, better learning outcomes, and even financial success.

This article explores how to create accessible and inclusive video courses, leveraging the latest research and best practices. We’ll also show you how to create videos using Smartcat AI Training Video Creator.

Accessibility in video content ensures that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can access and understand the information provided. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 16% of the global population —about 1 in 6 people—have some form of disability. If your content isn't accessible, you’re potentially excluding a significant portion of your audience. Moreover, 35% of consumers are more likely to choose businesses that prioritize inclusivity , according to research from Deloitte ​.

As Jennison Asuncion, Head of Accessibility Engineering at LinkedIn, highlights: "When content isn’t accessible, people are left wondering what vital information they are being excluded from.

Creating accessible video content involves several best practices that ensure no one is left behind. These include:

Captions and Transcripts : Captions aren’t just for people with hearing impairments—they help everyone. Research shows that 80% of consumers are more likely to watch an entire video if captions are available, making them a key tool for retaining viewers in various settings, such as noisy environments or when audio can't be played.

Additionally, a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that captions can improve content retention by 34%, making them particularly valuable for educational and technical videos. Furthermore, 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound, highlighting the broader need for captions.

Audio Descriptions : This essential feature narrates visual elements, enabling people with visual impairments to engage fully. Including audio descriptions is a significant step toward inclusivity, as 2.2. billion people globally live with some form of vision impairment, as per WHO statistics.

High-Contrast Design and Intuitive Navigation : Clear, high-contrast visuals and intuitive layouts ensure that people with cognitive or visual impairments can easily engage with your content. Research from the University of Oxford highlights that accessible presentations improve retention for all learners, especially those with sensory disabilities.

Interactive Elements : Quizzes and interactive videos enhance engagement and learning retention. Studies show that students who engage with interactive content are 2.6 times more likely to retain the material compared to passive viewing.

An accessible video course doesn’t just stop at captions or audio descriptions. The course design itself must account for varying learner needs. Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles can help instructors create inclusive and engaging experiences. Research from the University of Washington found that providing multiple ways for students to engage with content—through audio, video, text, and interactive tools—leads to higher completion rates and learner satisfaction.

For example, Oxford University's Replay Lecture Capture service allows students to pause, rewind, and rewatch lectures, giving them the flexibility to process the content at their own pace. This feature has been shown to significantly enhance learning outcomes for students with disabilities and improve overall course satisfaction.

Selecting a video platform with robust accessibility features is critical. Smartcat’s Training Video Creator is an excellent choice, offering tools that make it easier to add captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions. Smartcat’s AI can automatically generate these features in multiple languages, extending your reach to a global audience​(thruuu\_content\_brief\_cr…).

This is vital as, according to Glassdoor, 76% of global consumers say they are more likely to support businesses that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion​.

Smartcat also enables real-time translation and subtitles, making it easier to expand your course into new markets. In fact, businesses that cater to diverse and inclusive markets are 70% more likely to capture new customers.

When adding captions, it’s essential to ensure they are accurate and synchronized with the audio. 64% of users are more likely to engage with videos that have captions ​. Similarly, audio descriptions that cover essential visual elements, such as on-screen text, charts, or action, help engage users with visual impairments.

Using Smartcat AI to generate real-time captions and descriptions simplifies the process and ensures compliance with major accessibility guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ​.

Complying with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is crucial for several reasons:

1. Legal Protection : Many countries require digital content to be accessible by law, and failure to comply can result in legal action and fines.

2. Inclusivity : WCAG ensures your content is accessible to people with disabilities, broadening your audience and promoting equal access.

3. Enhanced User Experience : Features like captions and proper contrast improve usability for everyone, not just those with disabilities.

4. Broader Engagement : WCAG compliance helps reach diverse audiences globally, increasing engagement and expanding your reach.

5. Future-Proofing : Ensuring accessibility now helps you stay compliant as regulations evolve, reducing future risks.

Regular testing is crucial to ensure that your content meets accessibility standards. Conducting user testing with people who have disabilities can reveal insights and areas for improvement. Coursera emphasizes the importance of gathering feedback from diverse learner groups to continuously enhance course inclusivity​(Learning without limits…).

Additionally, Diverse teams are 87% better at making decisions. Applying this insight to accessibility testing by including people from various backgrounds will help you catch potential issues early and improve overall course quality.

Inclusivity in video content isn’t just about accessibility—it’s about representing diverse voices and experiences. Research by McKinsey shows that diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts. This applies to education as well, where diverse perspectives in content creation lead to richer, more engaging learning experiences.

According to Talia Kolodny, Teaching and Learning Specialist at Coursera : "When learners see their experiences reflected in the content, they are more likely to engage, feel valued, and succeed." Including diverse case studies, perspectives, and voices in your course content helps foster an inclusive learning environment.

Creating inclusive learning content with Smartcat AI is a straightforward process. Here's how to leverage Smartcat AI's features to generate accessible and engaging videos:

1. Begin by registering for the Smartcat AI platform. Once you've signed up, navigate to the learning content section.

2. Start a new project by clicking "Create new course" and provide key course details, including learning objectives and the target audience.

3. After defining your course, proceed to generate scripts for your videos. Specify the duration and key points for each video. Smartcat AI will create a detailed script.

4. You can manually edit or regenerate the script using Smartcat AI if necessary.

5. Smartcat AI allows you to automatically generate captions and subtitles for your videos in real-time. This feature ensures that your content is accessible to learners with hearing impairments or those watching in silent environments.

6. You can also add subtitles in multiple languages to reach a global audience and accommodate non-native speakers.

7. For learners with visual impairments, generate audio descriptions to narrate the visual elements of your videos. This feature ensures that all learners can fully engage with the content, regardless of their ability to see the screen.

8. Once your video is complete, preview it within the platform. You can export the video in SCORM format for use in any Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring that it meets accessibility guidelines like WCAG.

By following these steps, you can create inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning content efficiently with Smartcat AI.

Once your accessible and inclusive video course is ready, it’s essential to promote it effectively. Highlighting its accessibility features—such as captions, audio descriptions, and multi-language support—will attract a wider audience. A study by Microsoft found that inclusive advertising increased purchase intent by 23%.

Moreover, brands that are perceived as inclusive are four to six times more likely to gain consumer loyalty and advocacy ​. By emphasizing your commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, you can build stronger relationships with your audience and increase course enrollments.

Creating accessible and inclusive video courses is not just a legal requirement—it’s a smart, strategic move. Research consistently shows that accessibility improves engagement, satisfaction, and business outcomes. By using platforms like Smartcat AI and following best practices, you can ensure your content reaches and benefits everyone.

How do I make my training videos accessible? Start by including captions, audio descriptions, and high-contrast visuals. Using tools like Smartcat AI can help automate this process.

How do you make an inclusive video? Incorporate diverse perspectives in your content, and make sure your videos are accessible through captions, audio descriptions, and user-friendly design.

Do I need a dedicated audio description track? Yes, especially for videos with essential visual elements. Audio descriptions ensure that visually impaired viewers can engage with your content fully.

By embracing accessibility and inclusivity in your video courses, you open the door to greater engagement, learner satisfaction, and business success.