You may have heard the term “born-accessible” used in conversations about audiobooks, eBooks, and inclusive publishing. While it can sound technical, the idea itself is simple. Born-accessible means that accessibility is built into a book from the very beginning of production, not added later as a fix or workaround. In
If you’re familiar with accessible content, you’ve likely heard of these two terms: accessible audiobooks and accessible EPUBs. They both serve blind and low-vision readers exceptionally well, but they’re not the same, and each shines in different scenarios. Here’s a practical, plain-language guide to help explain the difference between the
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to reshape the accessibility landscape across the European Union—and audio descriptions are playing a key role in this transformation. Taking full effect in June 2025, the EAA requires that a wide range of products and services—including digital media, streaming platforms, e-books, and e-commerce
Creating accessible media isn't just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy content. With so many accessibility options available, it can be confusing to know what each one does and who benefits from it. Let’s break down the key terms and features that
In today's digital world, accessibility is more important than ever. For individuals with print disabilities—whether due to vision impairment, learning disabilities, or physical conditions that make holding a book difficult—access to literature in an audio format can be truly life-changing. Audiobooks bridge the gap, allowing everyone to experience the joy
Last time, we shared insights on navigating the compliance landscape of described video in Canada. Since then, there have been important updates that further shape this crucial aspect of media accessibility. Here is one quick update and a couple regulations that we did not cover last time, that reaffirm our
In today's media landscape, accessibility is not just a courtesy; it's a legal requirement. For media producers and broadcasters in Canada, understanding and adhering to these regulations, especially from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and standards from the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), is crucial. This
Integrated Described Video (IDV) is a growing trend in media accessibility, and the most frequent question that we receive these days is “how is IDV different from traditional DV”? Quite simply, integrated described video is built into the production from the ground up. It provides a description where the key
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the mass adoption of technologies that would have normally been 5-10 years out. Every industry has seen a digital shift, from an uptake in food delivery services, to digital signatures on contracts to municipalities using zoom to engage with citizens. In our day-to-day world, which is
Don’t feel embarrassed to ask this question. Unless you are in the broadcast industry, the answer may not be all that obvious. They are two completely different services, but both are essential to making media completely accessible to everyone, despite of impairments. Described Video (aka Descriptive video and Audio description
Our staff is motivated, determined and very meticulous when producing described video. We believe that research is necessary, fact checking is key, an overall understanding of the plot is essential and the ability to describe the same thing in multiple ways is mandatory. In fact, the latter is a challenge
A picture is worth a thousand words. For a sighted person, it rings true. But if you are blind or have low vision, this old adage may not entirely add up. In Canada alone, there are more than one million people who require some form of assistive technology to surf
Audio description (AD), also referred to as described video (DV), makes media more inclusive. It gives the blind and people with low vision access to content they would otherwise be excluded from. So why is it so hard to find videos on the web that offer AD? Even in cases
According to the CNIB, every 12 minutes someone in Canada begins to lose their eyesight. In fact, researchers estimate that more than one million Canadians are blind or partially sighted. That number is estimated to be 30 times higher in the US. It is no secret that our population is
Over the last few weeks, we have answered many questions about Described Video. Here is a list of the four most recurring questions – we hope you learn something new. 1. What the heck is Described Video? Is it subtitling? No Mom, it is not subtitling. Described Video (DV) is
A good lyricist will write in a way that paints a picture in your mind. He or she will tell a story through song, which allows you to formulate images in your mind. The creative vision of a film/TV director also tells a story. However, it will consist of images,
Does my short form content need described video (Audio Description)? I’m often presented with this question and my response is; ideally yes but sometimes no. Some short videos are simply not candidates for adding described video. It may be that the visual elements are thoroughly described within the main audio.
We’re so thrilled to be helping such an eclectic range of clients with their accessibility goals. From broadcast to streaming, to corporations and government & academic institutes, we're very grateful to be a trusted partner/supplier to so many wonderful clients. We thought it would be helpful to answer another popular