PangeaVox · Accessible Media Localisation
Make the visual story accessible to everyone.
Audio description (AD) communicates important visual information to people who are blind or have low vision: actions, facial expressions, changes of scene, on-screen text and visual details that are not already clear from the soundtrack.
PangeaVox combines professional description writing, narration, audio mixing and multilingual localisation to deliver accessible video with a documented quality-control process and the applicable accessibility criteria built into the brief.
WCAG 2.2 AA · ISO/IEC TS 20071-21 · Human-reviewed production
At the railway station, a traveller retrieves a letter from her coat.
Fictional demonstration; no client media or claimed test results.
More than narrating pictures
Audio description is carefully timed narration that conveys meaningful visual details without repeating information already audible in dialogue or sound effects. It must be objective, concise, accurate and understandable in context.
A skilled describer identifies what the audience needs to understand, chooses suitable wording and places narration around speech and essential sounds. For programmes with too little available time, extended audio description adds pauses to the video so that the necessary information can be delivered.
The right approach for each video
Spoken descriptions fit into natural pauses between dialogue and important sounds, without changing the video's duration.
Best suited to: films, interviews, corporate video, training and documentaries with sufficient space for narration.
WCAG 2.2 · SC 1.2.5 · Level AAVideo playback pauses or is extended at appropriate points when essential visual information cannot be described in existing gaps.
Best suited to: fast-paced demonstrations, dense on-screen material and content where critical details would otherwise be missed.
WCAG 2.2 · SC 1.2.7 · Level AAAA complete accessibility service
Identify key visual details, write natural spoken descriptions and time each segment against the source video.
Record clearly articulated, appropriately paced descriptions with professional voice talent and an agreed delivery style.
Integrate AD with programme sound, preserve essential dialogue and effects, then apply the destination’s technical delivery specification.
Adapt scripts for different languages, cultures, speaking rates and available description windows, followed by human linguistic review.
Use suitable automation only within an agreed process; have specialists verify visual accuracy, language, completeness, timing and narration quality.
Review the script, narration, synchronisation and final mix against the agreed accessibility requirements and document corrections.
Three ways to commission
01 · Scriptwriting
Professional visual analysis, AD scriptwriting, editorial review and timecode preparation for your production team.
Deliverable: Reviewed script and timed description cues.
Request an AD script →02 · End-to-end
Scriptwriting, narration, mix, synchronisation, accessibility QC and delivery of the agreed described media version.
Deliverable: Final AD mix or described-video master with a QC record.
Request full AD production →03 · Multilingual
Translate and adapt an existing AD script, record target-language narration and integrate it into international programme versions.
Deliverable: Reviewed language-specific AD scripts and/or mixes.
Request multilingual AD →Media made for more audiences
Characters, setting, physical action, expressions and transitions that matter to the narrative.
Charts, demonstrations, animations, on-screen text and instructional sequences that are essential for learning.
Product demonstrations, visual brand stories and meaningful screen information in business communications.
Exhibitions, heritage videos, public information and educational media for accessible participation.
Standards-based delivery
Audio-description quality and accessibility are acceptance requirements in our production process. We specify the applicable standard and success criteria before production, and verify the resulting description against the approved brief.
A documented accessibility workflow
Review the video, audience, distribution channel, target language and applicable WCAG or broadcaster requirements.
Identify meaningful visual cues and write accurate, concise descriptions with appropriate timecodes and pauses.
Check completeness, clarity, neutrality, accessibility, terminology and any localised wording.
Record and synchronise descriptions, protect important programme audio and master to the required technical specification.
Listen to the complete described version, verify the relevant success criteria and file properties, resolve issues and record the outcome.
Ready for publishing or broadcast
Approved descriptions, timing cues, pronunciation and terminology notes in the agreed language and format.
Recorded and synchronised AD audio, programme mix or described-video file in the target delivery configuration.
Documented checks of visual coverage, placement, intelligibility, script fidelity, mix quality and relevant acceptance criteria.
Publication formats: Separate AD audio track, integrated described-video alternative, or delivery specification for your production platform. We confirm player support and any required technical testing before final handover.
Quote an accessible version accurately
Share the programme duration, language versions, video format, target audience and publishing or broadcast destination. For precise timing and mixing, source video, dialogue and M&E tracks are valuable; scripts and terminology lists help us check content and names.
We agree whether standard or extended AD is needed, how it will be delivered, what accessibility criteria apply and who is responsible for final player integration. For sensitive content, arrange secure transfer with our team before sending files.
Frequently asked questions
For qualifying prerecorded video with synchronised audio, WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.2.5 (Level AA) requires audio description of important visual content. The complete website and media player must also meet all other applicable criteria to claim overall WCAG AA conformance.
Where normal pauses in dialogue and other important audio are not long enough to communicate essential visual details. WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.2.7 addresses extended description at Level AAA.
Yes. Our script-only service includes visual analysis, writing, timecodes and review. It is intended for clients who will arrange compliant narration and publication separately.
Yes. We adapt description wording, timing and terminology to the intended language and culture and perform linguistic and accessibility review before narration and mixing.
AI can assist approved stages, but final visual selections, accuracy, clarity, timing and narration are verified by qualified humans. Our acceptance process applies equally to human-created and AI-assisted work.
Audio description narrates visual information for people who cannot see it. Captions convey speech and relevant sound information in text for people who cannot hear the soundtrack. Many projects need both.
We deliver the agreed track or described-video asset to the required specification and can help define integration requirements. The client’s publishing system and controls need to support the accessible version and be tested as part of overall accessibility compliance.
Our quality checks cover key visual details, timing, neutral and accurate wording, intelligibility, language accuracy, mixing and the applicable WCAG or broadcaster criteria in the approved specification.
A fully considered viewing experience
Tell us what you are publishing, which languages are needed and where it will be shown. We will specify the appropriate audio-description workflow and applicable accessibility requirements.
Caption speech and meaningful sound information for accessible media.
Coordinate video translation, dubbing and accessibility features.
Professional mixing, finishing and sound quality control.
Professional recorded narration in the language of your audience.
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