Writing Objective Audio Descriptions
Writing Objective Audio Descriptions records a distinct W3C-supported accessibility writing task while keeping implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.
Write audio description objectively: report the important visible information without adding interpretation, censorship, or commentary.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Objectivity does not mean omitting necessary emotional or expressive information that is visually evident; it means avoiding unsupported interpretation or editorial comment.
Further guidance
Content
State the important visible action or information directly instead of inserting the describer’s opinion, motive-reading, or commentary about what the viewer should think.
Practical Application
Describe observable actions, expressions, settings, text, and changes that matter to understanding the video. Avoid inventing motives, emotions, or judgments that are not actually visible or otherwise established.
Purpose
Objective wording gives users the visual information while leaving interpretation of the scene to them.
Reader Check
Does each descriptive statement report what can be observed, rather than interpreting why a person acted or what they privately feel?
Worked Example
Write “She folds her arms, looks away, and steps back” rather than “She is furious and refuses to cooperate” unless the video itself establishes that interpretation.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Description of Visual Information (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) · W3C WAI guidance for writing descriptions of visual information needed to understand video.