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Video giants YouTube and Vimeo are neglecting accessibility. Why is a decades old requirement of alternative audio tracks still not a standard for major players? Scribely’s Digital Accessibility Coordinator Emma Kate Lauf dives into why the current YouTube and Vimeo creator journey for secondary audio tracks is problematic for both creators and viewers, providing instructions for the current functionality, if available, and a hopeful nod toward a more accessible future in the video platform space. Let’s start a discussion to bring attention to this issue. Let us know about the problems you have faced with audio description in the comments. Image IDs Frame 1: Text reads, “Alternative Audio Tracks: Vimeo & YouTube.” Scribely’s logo on an orange, yellow, and blue background. Frame 2: Text reads, “Why we need multiple audio tracks” and “WCAG Video Accessibility: Multiple language support, audio description, commentary tracks, and more. No more separate versions of videos!” A screenshot of YouTube’s video player is in the middle of the graphic, with a highlight around the Audio track setting. Frame 3: Text reads, “YouTube” and a bulleted list reads, “Offers multiple audio tracks for one video, Capability NOT available to all content creators.” A screenshot of a YouTube video is in the middle of the graphic, with a highlight around the English descriptive audio track to show the audio description feature functioning. Frame 4: Text reads, “Vimeo” and a bulleted list reads, “Offers multiple audio tracks for one video, Available to ALL content creators, Free users: 1 additional track. Paid: 20 additional tracks. Enterprise: 50 additional tracks.” A screenshot of a Vimeo video is in the middle of the graphic, with a highlight around the English descriptive audio track to show the audio description feature functioning. Frame 5: Text reads, “Takeaways” and a bulleted list reads, “Alternative audio tracks are paramount for video accessibility, YouTube: It’s time to walk the walk. Roll out the requirement to all creators, Vimeo: Maximize availability as much as possible across plans.” Frame 6: Scribely’s logo in the middle of the graphic on an orange, yellow, and blue background. #YouTube #Vimeo #videoaccessibility

Count Scribely in for the Design + Accessibility Summit with CreativePro! We’re thrilled to announce that Caroline Desrosiers, Scribely’s Founder & CEO, will be speaking on Tuesday, October 8th. Caroline will be sharing insights on Striking the Right Balance: Crafting Effective Alt Text, offering fresh a perspective on addressing complex images and visuals. Register now and bring your questions for what will be an informative session! Image IDs Frame 1: Text reads, “Join Scribely at the CreativePro Accessibility Summit. Striking the Right Balance: Crafting Effective Alt Text.” A bulleted list reads, “Guidelines for crafting concise and descriptive alt text, Strategies for addressing complex images and visual elements, Tips for incorporating alt text effectively across digital platforms.” The image is decorated with orange Scribely branded stars and asterisks. Frame 2: Text reads, “Design + Accessibility Summit. October 8-11, 2024. A CreativePro Event.” A picture of Caroline Desrosiers in the center, with text below that reads “Caroline Desrosiers. 2024 Speaker,” with CreativePro’s logo in the corner. Frame 3: Text reads, “Design + Accessibility Summit. October 8-11, 2024. An online event.” The frame is decorated with various tech-related icons and symbols, with five images in the center: an accessibility icon, Adobe InDesign logo, Adobe Acrobat logo, Microsoft PowerPoint logo, and Microsoft Word logo. Frame 4: Text reads, “Design + Accessibility Summit. October 8-11, 2024. A CreativePro Event.” The graphic features four rows of event speakers’ headshots, five in the first three rows and four in the fourth row. The design is sleek and modern.

As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Disabled community for being the educators and advocates we all appreciate, not just in July, but every day of the year. Your voices are invaluable in the ongoing fight for digital accessibility, and it’s because of you that our Spill the AccessibiliTea project was such a success. This past month, we heard from so many incredible individuals who shared their real, unfiltered experiences of navigating the digital world. These stories were eye-opening, impactful, and often a reminder of how much work remains to be done. But they were also a testament to the power of bringing Disabled voices into the conversation. We want to emphasize that true inclusion means more than just listening—it means hiring Disabled professionals to oversee accessibility in your projects. These are the people who know firsthand what works and what doesn’t. They’re the ones to reach out to when you’re striving to make your organization truly inclusive. We’re excited to share that our hashtag #SpillTheAccessibiliTea podcast, featuring these powerful voices, is now available on RSS, Spotify, and Amazon Music. This special series dives into the humorous, frustrating, and always real experiences of digital accessibility, and we’ll continue to accept submissions year-round. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to learn from the experts who live it every day. Click Below to Listen to the Spill The AccessibiliTea Podcast! https://lnkd.in/gmA_KpKB #DisabilityAdvocates #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveWorkplaces #DigitalInclusion #AccessibleTech #Podcast #DisabilityInclusion #HireDisabledTalent Image Description: Image with Scribely dark green background. Top right corner, there is a small orange background with white text, reading, "NEW!". Title Text reads: "Spill The AccessibiliTea". Underneath is an orange button with a white microphone and text that reads: "Podcast". Underneath is a white teacup with a saucer and Scribely's logo, has steam emitting from the cup. Image text reads: "Find it on:", below the text are three symbols representing where someone can find the podcast. The first is Spotify, then RSS, then Amazon Music. At the bottom is a soundwave of a voice, similar to the Spill The AccessibiliTea social media campaign.

The clock is ticking! By 2030, all digital content must meet EAA standards, and the time to act is now. At Scribely, we're here to guide you through this journey, ensuring your content not only complies but thrives. From strategic planning to ongoing support, we’re committed to making accessibility sustainable and effective. Let’s work together to create a digital space where everyone has equal access—because accessibility is more than a requirement; it’s a responsibility. #Scribely #EAA2025 #EuropeanAccessibilityAct #DigitalAccessibility #Accessibletech ID: Carousel post. Slide 1: "Embracing the European Accessibility Act. A Path to Digital Inclusion by 2030." Circular EAA symbol above a graphic of 8 diverse individuals smiling, two waving. Slide 2: "The EAA represents a pivotal step toward a more inclusive digital world." World graphic with arrows, below are 3 images of real protests holding signs like "Accessibility for All" and "We need a Strong Accessibility Act." Text: "These images remind us that our commitment to accessibility is part of a broader movement for equality and inclusion." Slide 3: "By 2030, all digital content must meet EAA standards. This is a call to action for us all to ensure equal access to digital content." Scribely's logo centers the screen, with text below: "Here’s Scribely's commitment to this important mission:" Slide 4: "Dedicated Content Remediation: Scribely reviews and updates your digital assets to align with EAA standards." Graphic of 2 people holding gears facing an orange lightbulb with a web accessibility symbol. Slide 5: "Holistic Strategic Planning: Scribely helps integrate accessibility into every aspect of your content strategy." Circular graphic with 4 colored slices, each with different symbols. Slide 6: "Sustainable Accessibility Investments: Scribely assists in creating budgets and plans for ongoing accessibility, making it a sustainable part of your strategy." Graphic of sustainable investments in purple. Slide 7: "Comprehensive Accessibility Features: Scribely ensures your content includes all necessary elements like alt text and captions, improving the digital experience for everyone." Graphic of a Blind man at a computer, with various accessibility symbols on screen. Text: "Ongoing Support and Adaption: Scribely provides ongoing support to keep your content compliant and accessible as standards evolve." Slide 8: "A Collective Effort: The journey to EAA compliance is a shared responsibility." Graphic of two people facing each other with rising bubbles containing reviews and messages. Text: "By working together, we can create a digital world where everyone has equal access to information and opportunities. Scribely is here to support you every step of the way."

Preparing for the European Accessibility Act? Let Scribely Lead the Way! The EAA deadline is approaching fast! Is your business ready? At Scribely, we ensure that your digital presence not only meets but exceeds accessibility standards. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Reach out to Scribely and start your journey toward full EAA compliance. Together, we can make digital inclusion a standard for all. #ScribelySolutions #EAACompliance #DigitalAccessibility #InclusiveDesign ID: Carousel. 1:"Preparing for the European Accessibility Act? Let Scribely Lead the Way!" A graphic shows 3 people climbing an orange hill, assisting each other with one holding an orange flag at the top. They are smiling, wearing orange and gray blazers, and one carries a briefcase. 2:"The countdown is on!" A calendar highlights June 2025, with 25 circled in blue. "With the EAA date rapidly approaching, it's critical for businesses to partner with experts who can navigate these upcoming changes." A graphic of an outstretched palm holding the web accessibility symbol with orange and white icons. "Here's how Scribely ensures you're ahead of the game:" 3:"Comprehensive Accessibility Audits. We conduct in-depth assessments of your digital products and services to pinpoint gaps in compliance and provide actionable insights for improvement." A graphic shows 4 people in a meeting. One woman in a hijab, stands next to a whiteboard with a chart, pointing at it, with the others listening attentively. 4:"Tailored Training and Consulting." A graphic of 5 people standing around a whiteboard with colorful sticky notes. One person presents, while the others actively participate."We offer customized training sessions and consulting to empower your team with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve and maintain EAA compliance." 5:"Optimized Born-Accessible Workflows. Whether it’s adding alt text to images, captions to videos, or ensuring websites adhere to WCAG standards, we help your organization implement new processes that work and stick the first time." A graphic shows a large group of people sitting around a round table, collaborating. Some take notes, others use laptops. 6:"Why Choose Scribely? Our objective is to work with our partners to break down barriers on the web and create digital experiences that are inclusive and accessible for all users." A graphic shows 7 people of varying disabilities, gender identities, and races. One person uses a wheelchair, one is accompanied by a guide dog, one wears headphones, another has amputations, and one is a runner with a transtibial prostheses. "We're passionate about more than just compliance. We're committed to transforming how you approach digital accessibility." 7: "Don’t wait until the last minute!" Below is the Scribely logo next to a circular graphic of the EAA 2025 symbol. "Reach out to Scribely today and let’s start your journey towards EAA compliance with confidence and clarity. Together, we will make digital inclusion a reality."

Are accessibility overlays truly beneficial or just a Band-Aid solution? At Scribely, we're committed to genuine progress in digital accessibility. Our Media Accessibility Intern, Emma Kate Lauf, dives into the unsettling irony of accessibility overlays and why they often fall short. Discover why thorough research and real solutions highlights the need for genuine solutions to make all digital spaces 100% inclusive and accessible. Click below to read the blog on our website! https://lnkd.in/gCczNCwT #DigitalAccessibility #ScribelyInsights #InclusiveDesign #Progress #AccessibilityOverlays #DigitalInclusion #ScribelyBlog Image Description: Title Text is white and light orange, reading, "The Unsettling Irony of Accessibility Overlays." Subtitles read, "New Blog Alert!" and "by Emma-Kate Lauf." To the left of the title is an image of a white man with his hands covering his forehead and face in frustration, his hands combing through his shot blonde hair. Above the person is the white and blue logo for Web Accessibility. At the bottom is white text with a bright orange background, it reads, "Read More" with arrows pointing down on either side.

New YouTube Video Alert! Barbie's latest inclusive campaign featuring dolls with disabilities is making waves, but are they really getting it right with alt text? In our latest video, we take a deep dive into Mattel's use of alt text for the Blind Barbie. While we commend Barbie for using alt text on Instagram, we're uncovering some serious gaps on Mattel's product pages. For an item that is representing the Blind community, it's disappointing to see poor, undescriptive image descriptions and alt text. Formulaic and non-descriptive alt text just won't cut it. Let's push beyond the surface and hold "best in class" brands accountable to truly accessible standards. Watch now to see how we can make a real difference together! Click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gxPA873V #DigitalAccessibility #AltText #InclusiveDesign #Barbie #AccessibilityMatters #Scribely Image Description: Title text: "Does Blind Barbie have Alt Text?" To the left of the title is a cutout of the new Blind Barbie doll. She has brown hair, and wears a pink shirt and textured purple skirt. She holds a white cane and wears reflective glasses for light sensitivity. Image text reads, "Analysis of Mattel’s use of alt text for their inclusive campaign."

Museums and galleries are magical portals to history, culture, and imagination. But as we bring these experiences online, are we including everyone? We still have a long way to go with accessibility for Blind visitors. Did you know that 64% of museum homepages have missing alt text and 88% of museum social media accounts rely on basic AI-generated descriptions? Missing these steps in workflows hinders inclusive access to our rich history and art. Check out my most recent article on Robert Weisberg's Museum Human to learn about the best next steps museums can take to build a legacy of accessible media for Blind patrons, from conducting audits to securing executive support and hiring expert consultants. We have everything we need to make museums the inclusive and welcoming spaces they were always meant to be. Let's build a digital legacy of inclusive access and break down barriers to history, art, and culture once and for all. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ggCaZxn4 #DigitalAccessibility #MuseumAccess #InclusiveDesign #AltText #Scribely #CulturalHeritage

Calling all voices in the accessibility community! Do you have something to share about accessibility? We want to hear it for our “Spill the AccessibiliTea” project. Whether it’s a rant, a rave, or a heartfelt story, your voice matters in shaping digital accessibility. Submit your thoughts by the end of the month for a chance to win a self-care digital gift card from Scribely! Your time is valuable, and we appreciate your contribution to building a community where disabled voices are uplifted and recommended for DEIA projects. Let’s make digital spaces more inclusive, one story at a time. Message us directly, or drop your submissions here: https://lnkd.in/gphD9yup Let’s spill it together! #AccessibilityMatters #DigitalInclusion #SpillTheAccessibiliTea #EmpowerYourVoice Image Description: Title text reads, “Call for Submissions.” A white teacup with Scribely's logo sits on a saucer with a brown sugar cube sitting next to it. Steam rises from the mug to the right of the title. A text box below reads, “Vent. Get Recommended for DEIA projects. Build Community.”

Heading to Disability:IN 2024 in Vegas this week! I'm excited to attend for the first time and learn how corporations are taking accountability and transformative action on disability inclusion and accessibility requirements. With growing calls from the disability community to access inclusive work environments and online experiences, corporations possess the power to advocate for these essential improvements. I'm excited to collaborate and learn how we can collectively drive impactful change across industries. Stay tuned for updates as we work to harness the power of accountability at #DisabilityIN! #AccessibilityMatters #CorporateResponsibility #DigitalInclusion