Chapter 12. Audio and Video

Audio and video share the same fundamental challenge as all nontext content: Some users will be unable to access the information since it’s available through only one sense: either vision or hearing. Audio can only be heard; video can only be seen. On the other hand, text is versatile because—thanks to text-to-speech technology—it can be both seen and heard. Consequently, the primary task of delivering accessible media is to provide a text equivalent for both visual and audible components.

Audio and video also present technical challenges. The technical requirements for network delivery of them are high—too high for some users. Users with slow Internet access may not be able to receive the large amount of data required ...

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