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Communications and Marketing: Web Services

Requirements for Videos

Last modified: October 27, 2026
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All videos hosted on UAMS platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and/or embedded on UAMS websites must meet the following requirements to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA (mandatory for UAMS by April 26, 2027 under the U.S. Department of Justice Title II ADA final rule).

Video Title

  • Keep under 70 characters for optimal search display (e.g., “Primary Keywords | College/Department, UAMS”)
  • Match the video content and audience needs
  • Include primary keywords at the beginning
  • No version/draft references

Video Description

  • Describe content and purpose clearly
  • Front-load the first 157 characters (visible in search snippets)
  • Include 1–2 natural keywords (avoid stuffing)

Video Thumbnail

  • Minimum 1920 × 1080 px, 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Relevant and flattering — feature the primary subject(s)
  • Avoid closed eyes, awkward expressions, or unrelated images

Closed Captions (Required – WCAG 1.2.2 Level A)

  • Must be accurate and human-verified/professionally created 
    Auto-generated captions alone are not sufficient for legal compliance (per DOJ guidance and court precedents)
  • Synchronize with audio and on-screen text
  • Include speaker identification and sound effects when relevant

Audio Descriptions or Extended Descriptions (Required when needed – WCAG 1.2.5 Level AA)

  • Provide narrated descriptions of key visual content not conveyed through audio (e.g., charts, actions, text on screen)
  • Use narrated audio descriptions or a full text alternative/transcript that describes visuals

Full Transcript (Required on UAMS CMS page)

  • Provide a complete transcript (timed or untimed) on the same page as the embedded video.
  • Place a link directly below the video that takes users to the transcript.
  • Include important visual information that isn’t spoken, such as on-screen text, actions and demonstrations, and identify speakers.

A descriptive transcript meets WCAG 1.2.3. It does not replace captions (1.2.2) or audio description (1.2.5). For 1.2.5, important visual information must also be conveyed in the audio, either in the regular narration or in an audio-described version.

Additional Accessibility Notes

  • Test for flashing content (WCAG 2.3.1 – no more than 3 flashes per second)
  • Ensure sufficient color contrast in on-screen text/graphics
  • After embedding, run Blackboard Ally for Websites — it will flag caption/transcript issues

Why These Requirements Matter

UAMS is a public entity under Title II of the ADA. The DOJ’s April 2024 final rule explicitly requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for all web content, including videos, by April 26, 2027. Non-compliant videos expose UAMS to investigations, OCR complaints, and lawsuits.

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