Does This Video Need Audio Description?

Scenario

A faculty member records a lecture using slides.

Not Accessible

The speaker says: “As you can see here.”

The slide displays:

• Enrollment statistics
• Bullet points
• A quotation

None of the slide content is read aloud.

Result: Audio description or integrated narration is required.

Accessible Version

The speaker explains: “This chart shows enrollment increased from 1,200 students in 2022 to 1,500 students in 2025.”

The bullet points and quote are also read aloud.

Result: Separate audio description is not required. 

Scenario

A video shows students studying, attending events, and walking across campus with music.

Accessible Example

Caption or narration states: “Student life at UMB.”

The visuals are atmospheric and contain no critical information.

Result: Audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

Text overlays appear:

• “Apply by March 1”
• “New residence hall opening Fall 2026”

If this information is not spoken, narration should include it. 

Scenario

A video includes stock footage of hospitals, classrooms, and labs while a narrator speaks.

Accessible Example

Narration says: “At UMB, students gain hands-on clinical experience working with patients and researchers.”

The visuals support the narration but do not add new information.

Result: Audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

A statistic appears on screen: “95% Residency Match Rate”

If the narrator does not mention the statistic, it must be spoken. 

Scenario

A montage shows several campus scenes with music.

Accessible Example

Caption reads: “Highlights from the School of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony.”

No essential information appears visually.

Result: Audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

The montage includes text identifying:

• Event titles
• Speaker names
• Dates
• Calls to action

If the narration does not mention these items, description is required. 

Scenario

A video begins with an animated graphic.

Accessible Example

Text appears: “University of Maryland, Baltimore”

If the narrator says: “Welcome to the University of Maryland, Baltimore.”

Result: Audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

A graphic displays: “Breakthroughs Can’t Wait”

If the narration never mentions this phrase, it should be spoken. 

Tour videos often show locations across campus.

Audio description is not required if the narration identifies the location at some point in the video.

Accessible Example

Narration says: “We are now standing outside the Health Sciences and Human Services Library.”

Even if the building appears earlier or later in the video, the information is communicated.

Result: Separate audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

A tour video shows several buildings but never identifies them verbally.

Result: Viewers who cannot see the screen would miss important information.

Integrated narration or description is required.

Drone footage often shows sweeping views of campus.

Accessible Example

Narration says: “This aerial view shows the University of Maryland Medical Center and the surrounding health sciences campus.”

The location is identified.

Result: Audio description is not required.

Example Requiring Description

Aerial footage focuses on a specific building while music plays.

The building is never identified in narration.

Result: The location should be described through narration.