To best ensure that your organization's profile is accessible for everyone, we recommend that you follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA. In this article, we'll be visiting the various aspects of the WCAG that relate to the media, images, and videos in your profile, whether it is on your Giving Day profile, or a campaign or event that your organization is running.
If you'd like to read the article that goes into the text portion of your profile more in-depth, please click here.
For more resources on accessibility in general, please visit our summary article here.
How to ensure your profile is accessible
1. Add alternative text to all images
This can be done through the HTML editor, here is a helpful resource from W3Schools that goes over this in the section "The alt Attribute"
The alternative text should be a short description for the image itself, and can draw themes from the caption text
An example of an image with alternative text embedded into the HTML:
<img src="https://www.givegab.com/assets/gg-logo-vector-8b434175bf6c466021b4845f22ca2043dfa631949d7add94ee3e5e96062e9f11.svg" alt="GiveGab logo">
2. Add descriptive text or captions to all images
This differs from alternative text, in that it goes alongside the image, rather than in the image itself
If the paragraph near the image describes the image well enough, then a caption is not necessary
In the above image, there is no caption, but the text nearby sufficiently describes the image.
In the above image, there is no caption, and the text near the image does not describe the image.
In the above image, the text near the image does not describe the image, but the caption summarizes it.
Note: It is important to have both a description of the image, as well as alternative text for the image!
3. Add captions or subtitles to all video content
Our site allows for organizations to upload a YouTube or Vimeo video to their profile, their thank you message, and to Peer-to-Peer fundraisers
Here is YouTube's support article for adding subtitles
Here is Vimeo's support article for adding subtitles
If your supporter base speaks more than one language, provide subtitles in both English, as well as the additional language
The above is an example of a video with closed captions, in this case, the video's closed captions were automatically generated.
4. Have a solid flow in all video content
Any speakers that are present in your videos should speak in a consistent tone and pace and should not be rushed
There should never be a moment in your video when there are three or more flashes on screen in less than a single second
Note: If the flashes in your video are crucial to the information portrayed, then include a seizure and flashing light warning at the beginning of the video, and give the viewer ample time to close the video before the video starts.