How Video is Bringing Us Closer to the Dream of Universal Accessibility

Not too long ago, the idea of universal accessibility—where information is truly available to everyone, regardless of ability—felt like a distant dream.

For much of history, public information displays were simply inaccessible to the deaf or blind, and even dedicated accessibility solutions—like braille, easy read formats, and audio recordings—only addressed specific needs in isolation. Then came the internet, promising progress, but early websites struggled with limited bandwidth, expensive PCs, and a lack of accessibility standards, meaning the dream of true universal access remained elusive.

But today, we’re in a new era. At IC Works, we’ve realized that one medium in particular has the potential to finally bring us closest to true accessibility: video.

Why Has Video Been Overlooked as an Accessibility Game-Changer?

It might come as a surprise, but accessible video has yet to fully capture the imagination of those focused on accessibility challenges. Despite the rapid rise of digital content, many still see video as just another format rather than a powerful tool for inclusion.

That’s where IC Works comes in.

At IC Works, we’ve spent years perfecting our approach to easy read document design—making information clearer, more engaging, and genuinely accessible to those with learning difficulties, autism, or other communication barriers. What we’ve discovered is that the same co-production magic that makes our documents so effective can also be applied to accessible video.

The IC Works Approach: Making Video More Accessible, for Everyone

We take accessibility seriously, but we also believe the process of creating accessible video should be fun, collaborative, and engaging. That’s why our secret sauce is workshop-driven co-production, bringing together:

·         Experts by experience – Those who truly understand accessibility challenges firsthand

·         Video and audio professionals – Ensuring high-quality, engaging production

·         Accessibility facilitators – Making sure every voice is heard

·         Clients themselves – Keeping content meaningful and on-brand

The result? A new kind of video experience—one that can be watched, listened to, or read in any language, with features like:

·         In-vision sign language for deaf users

·         Audio narration as an optional ‘description track’ for blind or low-vision users

·         Voiceover option with easier-to-understand content for simpler cognitive accessibility

·         Subtitles for readers requiring different languages

Making Accessibility Part of the Process—Not Just the Product

At ic-works, we believe that true accessibility isn’t just about the final product—it’s about how that product is made. By making the creation process as inclusive as the end result, we’re ensuring that the content truly meets the needs of those it’s designed for.

With accessible video, we’re not just solving accessibility problems—we’re breaking down barriers, making information more universal, engaging, and inclusive than ever before.

The dream of universal accessibility isn’t as distant as it once seemed. With the right approach, video might just be the key to making it a reality.