Digital accessibility aims to enable everyone to see, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content independently.
In the context of video, this means creating content that as many people as possible can watch and understand, regardless of their needs or constraints.
At PlayPlay, accessibility covers both:
the accessibility of the platform
the accessibility of videos created with PlayPlay.
1. Accessibility standards on the platform
PlayPlay follows the WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), the international benchmark standards for digital accessibility.
These guidelines also serve as the foundation for several local accessibility frameworks, such as RGAA in France, Section 508 in the United States, and BITV 2 in Germany.
Regarding platform accessibility, PlayPlay complies with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, particularly for color contrast and font sizes. This topic is closely monitored by our Design teams, who continuously integrate new industry recommendations into the platform’s evolution.
2. What you should know about video accessibility
Video accessibility relies on two main elements:
the accessibility of the video player
the accessibility of the content itself
👉 The role of the video player
A video's accessibility does not depend solely on the content created in PlayPlay. It also depends on the player used to distribute the video, such as PlayPlay, YouTube, or Vimeo.
To meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA recommendations, a video player should provide:
captions
a transcript
audio descriptions
Today, PlayPlay allows you to:
add captions
add a form of audio description through voice-over or AI Voice-over
Some accessibility features, such as full transcripts or native audio descriptions, also depend on the video player used to distribute the content.
👉 Best practices for making your content more accessible
A video's accessibility also depends heavily on the choices made during recording and editing. Here are some recommendations to make your content more inclusive:
1️⃣ Improve content readability
Use sufficiently large text sizes.
Choose simple, easy-to-read fonts.
Ensure there is sufficient contrast between text and background.
Avoid color combinations that are difficult to distinguish.
2️⃣ Improve audio clarity
Make sure the speaker speaks clearly.
Ensure the voice volume remains higher than the background music.
Use captions to improve comprehension.
Use the AI Audio Cleanup feature to enhance voice clarity and reduce background noise.
3️⃣ Adapt framing and visuals
Make sure the speaker is facing the camera.
Ensure there is good lighting.
If sign language is used, plan an appropriate framing setup during filming.
3. Why video accessibility matters
For some companies and organizations, digital accessibility is a legal requirement.
In France, this notably applies to public organizations as well as companies generating more than €250 million in annual revenue.
Beyond legal requirements, making your videos accessible also helps:
improve the viewing experience for everyone
reach a wider audience
make your messages clearer and more inclusive
4. In summary
PlayPlay helps you create more accessible videos thanks to features such as captions, .SRT export, voice-over, and AI Audio Cleanup.
By following a few best practices for readability, audio, and design, you can make your videos more inclusive and easier for everyone to consume.