Accessible PowerPoint (implementation guide)
The PowerPoint Accessibility Implementation Guide serves as support for the PowerPoint Accessibility Checklist. The order of the aspects and the structure according to categories are the same.
Each aspect is divided into three sections in the implementation guide:
Under the heading "What is meant by this?" you will find a detailed description of the aspect to be ticked off. The section "Why is it important?" describes which barriers you are removing with the respective aspect and for which groups of people this is essential. Finally, under the heading "How can I implement/check this?" you will find detailed instructions on how to implement or check the respective aspect.
9. Video and audio
9.3. Audio description and full text alternative
Embedded online videos with relevant visual content contain an audio description or a full text alternative that reproduces this content
What is meant by this?
Embedded online videos in PowerPoint presentations that contain relevant visual content should be provided with audio descriptions or full text alternatives. Audio description describes visual information in dialogue breaks that are not included in the main audio track. A full text alternative provides complete descriptions of all visual information, such as actions and expressions.
Why is it important?
Audio descriptions or full-text alternatives enable recipients to understand and gain approval for the visual content of the video regardless of their ability to see or the presence of a monitor. It is therefore particularly important for recipients who primarily absorb video content audibly, who cannot see at the time of viewing or who do not have a monitor available. An audio description or a full text alternative are particularly important when questions relate directly to visual content in the video. These can only be answered if they can also be visually perceived or described by recipients.
How can I implement/check it?
To check whether embedded online videos contain audio descriptions or full text alternatives, the following steps can be taken:
- Go to the slide that contains the video.
- Start playback of the video.
- Check whether an audio description or a full text alternative is offered during playback. This can be in the form of audio descriptions as an additional audio track or in the form of text at the edge of the screen.
The audio description is usually provided as a separate audio film in a separate player and must be created outside of PowerPoint. This should be linked to the video or a note next to it.
The full text alternative, on the other hand, should be reproduced in detail within the following PowerPoint slides or accessed via a link to an external document.