Choose the publishing pattern
WordPress sites usually start with either a YouTube embed or a video in the Media Library. Each can support audio description, but the files and player behavior differ.
YouTube original plus described video
Publish a second audio-described version and provide one control that switches between the original and described URLs while preserving the current playback position.
YouTube original plus AD audio
Keep the original embed and synchronize a mixed or narration-only MP3. The player must keep seek, play, pause, volume, and restoration aligned. Extended description also requires the player to pause the YouTube video while narration finishes.
WordPress-hosted original plus AD audio
Store one original video and attach the description track and captions. This avoids duplicate video storage when the player can mix and synchronize the tracks reliably.
Controls need more than visible icons
- Use real buttons reachable by keyboard.
- Give each button a clear accessible name and state, such as “Audio description on”.
- Keep focus visible and meet contrast requirements in default, hover, focus, and selected states.
- Do not let theme CSS stretch, clip, or recolor the controls beyond recognition.
- Preserve the current timestamp when switching versions.
Keep captions tied to the original
Captions represent the original program speech and sound. Show them on the original timeline. If an extended described version adds pauses, map playback carefully rather than shifting every cue by guesswork.
Test the actual page
Check desktop and mobile layouts, not only the editor preview. Confirm the iframe keeps a 16:9 ratio, the next block does not overlap, button text stays on one line where intended, and a single AD or CC button does not expand awkwardly across the container.