Video Accessibility
Accessible multimedia helps ensure that all students can engage fully with course content. While recent ADA Title II digital accessibility rules apply specifically to public entities, including public colleges and universities, they signal an important direction for higher education: digital learning materials should be designed to meet recognized accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
At California Lutheran University, Digital Learning is committed to supporting accessible, inclusive, and learner-centered multimedia practices.
Why Accessibility Matters — For Every Student
Accessibility in multimedia is not just about compliance with ADA, Section 508, and WCAG; it is about creating an inclusive learning experience for all students. Research consistently shows that accessibility features benefit a much broader audience than those with disabilities alone.
- Captions help more than just deaf and hard-of-hearing students — they also improve focus and retention. A study by Oregon State University and 3Play Media found that 98.6% of students found captions helpful, and 76% used them as a learning aid regardless of whether they had a disability.
- Transcripts support comprehension and reinforce learning by allowing students to skim, search, and review key concepts quickly. They are especially valuable for English language learners and students with learning disabilities.
- Audio descriptions ensure that no one misses important visual information. For students who are blind, visually impaired, or engaging with content in an audio-only context, audio description translates the visual layer of a video into words — narrating actions, scene changes, on-screen text, and other details that would otherwise be inaccessible. It goes beyond captions by addressing what is seen, not just what is heard.
The Three Accessibility Features
| Feature | What It Provides | Primary Purpose | Benefits Everyone? |
| Closed Captions | Text synchronized with spoken audio and important sounds | Access to spoken content | Yes |
| Transcript | Complete text version of spoken content | Search, review, and study | Yes |
| Audio Description | Narration of meaningful visual information | Access to visual content | Yes |
Accessibility at California Lutheran University
ADA Title II applies specifically to public entities, including state and local governments, public colleges, and public universities. The original compliance deadline was later extended by the U.S. Department of Justice, with large public entities required to comply by April 26, 2027, and smaller public entities by April 26, 2028.
Although these compliance deadlines do not apply directly to California Lutheran University as a private institution, they represent accessibility best practices that are increasingly shaping digital learning across higher education.
Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility
While this mandate does not directly apply to us, we believe every student deserves a fully accessible learning experience, regardless of ability. Accessibility is not a compliance checkbox; it is a reflection of how much we value our students.
Digital Learning strives to align instructional multimedia with WCAG 2.1 Level AA recommendations, including providing audio descriptions for pre-recorded videos that contain meaningful visual information.
In addition to supporting closed captions and transcripts for lecture recordings, Digital Learning is expanding its accessibility efforts by gradually including audio description for the recorded lectures of new and existing courses.
Faculty Support
Digital Learning is available to assist faculty with reviewing course videos, identifying accessibility needs, and implementing multimedia accessibility best practices. Our team can provide guidance on:
- Closed captioning
- Transcript generation
- Audio description
- Video accessibility review
- Accessibility best practices for instructional multimedia
Feel free to contact us by submitting a ticket through helpdesk@callutheran.edu.
Learn More
Explore our detailed guides for each accessibility feature:
- Closed Captions
- Transcripts
- Audio Descriptions
References
U.S. Department of Justice. (2024, April 8). Fact sheet: New rule on the accessibility of web content and mobile apps provided by state and local governments. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/