Audio

Alternative formats for people with hearing impairments

Providing audio options will make your communications more accessible to people with visual impairments and people with literacy problems.

Audio

Audio formats

audiotape
mp3 audio file
CD-ROM
CD

Audio versions of documents are generally provided on CD-ROM or as mp3 files.

Audio communications

radio
internet
talking newspapers
audio magazines
Daisy (Digital Accessible Information System) books

Contact the Royal National Institute of Blind People for talking newspapers and audio magazines.

Producing audio material

Arrange information in a logical order.
Avoid background noise and music.
Use voices that are appropriate to the subject matter and audience.
Give people time to understand calls to action.

Audio description

Audio description is an additional commentary that describes on-screen or on-stage action, body language and facial expressions. For example, a character looking shocked at something another character is doing. It is available on:

television
video and DVD
cinemas
museums and galleries
theatres
sports venues

Producing audio description

Ofcom provides guidelines on producing audio description, including technical specifications.

Explore

Beyond the Office for Disability Issues

Page last reviewed: 04 November 2010