Accessibility in Animation
Making Content Inclusive for All Audiences
Did you know that according to the World Health Organisation, over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability? This number highlights the importance of accessibility in all forms of media, including animation. Making content accessible ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy and engage with the stories you create.
Look at Netflix, for example. As a platform that reflects how people want to unwind and engage with ease, Netflix saw significant viewership growth when it expanded accessible features like subtitles and audio descriptions. By broadening its accessibility, Netflix has made its content more enjoyable for a wider audience. This effect underscores how essential it is to integrate accessibility in animation and other media.
Options for Enhancing Accessibility in Animation
Sign Language Interpretation
One way to make animated content accessible is through sign interpretation. In-vision sign interpretation, where an interpreter is visible on-screen throughout the video, allows deaf audiences to fully engage with content by making spoken words accessible in their preferred language.
Sign languages like British Sign Language (BSL), American Sign Language (ASL), and others each have distinct grammar, hand shapes, facial expressions, and movements, meaning that choosing the right one for your audience is essential.
BSL, for instance, is a fully-fledged language with its own grammar that differs significantly from English. Working with a BSL interpreter opens your content to more than 150,000 BSL users across the UK.
Sign language interpretation takes place at the end of the production process. A professional interpreter will be recorded on a green screen, signing the script in time with the video. The footage of the signer is then placed over the video, usually in the bottom right of the screen.
Audio Descriptions
For visually impaired audiences, audio descriptions (AD) provide essential context by narrating on-screen action. AD offers additional commentary on body language, expressions, movements, and other key visual elements, enriching the viewing experience for those who can’t see them.
To create an audio described version of your video, a script must be generated for each scene, clearly explaining the action that is about to take place. The script is usually delivered by a professional voice over artist, and the video is paused between scenes to allow for the explanation to be heard.
Incorporating AD allows your animated work to be both enjoyable and informative, enhancing accessibility by enabling a broader range of audiences to engage with your story’s nuances.
Subtitles and Captions
Subtitles are crucial for accessibility and there are two ways that they can be included, as closed captions or as burnt in captions.
Closed captions are the most flexible option for those with disabilities as they allow the viewer the choice to activate them if needed. They are created by uploading an SRT file along with your video when you host it on your chosen platform, be it YouTube, Vimeo or another. An SRT file can be created as part of the video production process, or tools exist that generate the file automatically, although the latter will often need some checking.
Burnt in, or ‘open’ captions, are particularly effective on social media, as they allow audiences to follow along even in silent environments. The subtitles form part of the video file, and so need to be created by the animator.
Whichever form you choose, clarity is key. Captions should have adequate contrast between the text and background. Ideally, each caption should be short and digestible—about 32 characters per line is generally recommended.
Visual and Text Accessibility
Using high-contrast colours and clear text ensures readability, especially for people with visual impairments. Colours with a strong contrast ratio are vital, as they help distinguish elements on the screen. Simple, uncluttered scenes also prevent viewers from feeling overwhelmed, particularly those with neurodiversity. Consider keeping on-screen text longer and using slower, clear voice overs to allow time for comprehension.
Inclusive Design: A Professional and Ethical Imperative
Accessible design in animation is more than a professional best practice – it’s a commitment to inclusivity. By making your content accessible, you open your work to a broader, more diverse audience, enriching both your story’s impact and your viewers’ experience.
