Adding Captions to Videos for Accessibility in Webflow

Prepare your captions by creating a caption file in either SRT (SubRip Subtitle) or VTT (WebVTT) format. This file can be crafted using a text editor or specialized subtitle tools. Ensure that your captions are accurately synced with the video, with precise start and end times for each caption. For example, an SRT file might look like this:

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:05,000
Welcome to our video on accessibility.

2
00:00:05,500 --> 00:00:10,000
In this tutorial, we will learn how to add captions.

Check that all captions are legible and clear.

Log in to your Webflow account, locate the project, and navigate to the desired page for video placement. Drag the Video element from the Add panel to the canvas. In the video settings, upload your video or link to an external platform like YouTube or Vimeo.

To embed the caption file, since Webflow lacks built-in caption upload capabilities, use custom code. Select the video element on the canvas, head to the Custom Code section, and insert HTML5 video code including your caption file. For self-hosted videos, the code looks like this:

<video controls>
<source src="YOUR_VIDEO_URL.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<track src="YOUR_CAPTIONS.vtt" kind="subtitles" srclang="en" label="English">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

Replace "YOUR_VIDEO_URL.mp4" with your video's actual URL and "YOUR_CAPTIONS.vtt" with your caption file's URL.

After adding custom code, publish your site and test the video and captions to confirm they appear at the correct times. Check the legibility and formatting.

If there are issues with the captions, tweak your SRT or VTT file as needed, making adjustments to timing or text to ensure synchronization.

For additional accessibility, consider providing a transcript of the video, creating a user-friendly video player design, and ensuring the site is keyboard-navigable.

By applying these steps, you make your online content more accessible, promoting inclusivity and enhancing the viewing experience for all users. Regular testing and updating of caption files are crucial to maintain quality and expand your audience reach effectively.