What is video accessibility compliance?

Video accessibility compliance means designing and delivering video so people with disabilities can access the important information being communicated. Depending on the content and applicable requirements, this may involve captions, transcripts, audio description, readable on-screen text, sufficient contrast, alternatives to color-only communication, accessible narration, and compatible video-player implementation.

Does WCAG apply to videos?

Yes. WCAG contains requirements relating to multimedia and time-based media, including captions and alternatives for certain audio and visual content. The exact requirements depend on the content, WCAG version, conformity level, and applicable legal or contractual obligations.

What does Section 508 require for video?

Section 508 accessibility requirements can apply to electronic content and synchronized media produced for U.S. federal environments. Depending on the media, requirements may include captions, audio description, transcripts, and other accessible alternatives. Federal agencies and contractors should identify the applicable requirements before production begins.

Are captions enough to make an animation WCAG compliant?

Not necessarily. Captions primarily provide access to meaningful audio information. If essential information is communicated visually but not through the audio track, additional measures such as audio description, revised narration, or an accessible transcript may be needed. Accessibility must be evaluated based on the actual animation.

Is it expensive to make an existing video accessible?

The cost depends on how the original video was produced. Adding accurate captions and a transcript may be relatively straightforward. However, if important visual information was never communicated through narration, accessibility retrofits can require script changes, new voiceover, animation retiming, audio editing, rerendering, new captions, and additional approvals. Planning accessibility before production is generally more efficient.

Can screen readers read text inside an animation?

A screen reader does not automatically understand every piece of text or visual information embedded inside rendered video frames. Essential information displayed visually should therefore be communicated through an appropriate accessible alternative, which may include narration, audio description, transcripts, or accessible surrounding webpage content.

Can Just Animations produce WCAG and Section 508 accessible animation?

Just Animations can incorporate defined accessibility requirements into an end-to-end animation workflow covering requirements, scripting, storyboarding, accessible visual planning, animation, audio, captions, audio-description planning, transcripts, quality assurance, and delivery. The applicable WCAG, Section 508, contractual, legal, or organizational requirements should be identified at the beginning of the project so they can be incorporated into production.

Adam Evans | Just Animations

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Adam Evans
November 12, 2026November 13, 2026
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Animation, Education, Enterprise, News, Public Sector, Video Animation, Video Marketing

Video Accessibility Compliance: WCAG & Section 508 Risk

Video accessibility is no longer something enterprises, government agencies, universities, healthcare organizations, and public-sector teams can treat as a final production checkbox. For CMOs, HR leaders, corporate counsel, government communications teams, and public-sector procurement officers, animation deserves particular attention when it comes to video accessibility compliance. Organizations publishing animation, explainer videos, training content, public information, […]

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Author: Adam Evans

Video Accessibility Compliance: WCAG & Section 508 Risk