Many of the people I meet with visual impairments have an interest in DIY projects or crafting in some capacity. Some are more interested in fiber arts and work on projects like crocheting or knitting with low vision, embroidery, or sewing in some capacity, while others prefer mediums like paper crafting, drawing, painting, or working on projects with their kids. A lot of them turn to social media or other websites to get inspiration for new projects, but they often are limited in what projects they can do because these picture-based or video-based crafting tutorials are inaccessible for audiences with visual impairments. Here are my tips for how to make accessible crafting tutorials (or make existing crafting tutorials accessible) for visual impairment, inclusive of blind, low vision, and neurological visual impairment (CVI).
Video descriptions for visually impaired: Audio description and video description
As short-form video content has become more prevalent, two different styles of video descriptions for visually impaired audiences have become viable options for creating accessible crafting and DIY videos, including the use of audio descriptions and text-based video descriptions.
Audio description, sometimes referred to as descriptive audio or described video, is an additional narration track designed with nonvisual access in mind, providing details for all key visual elements of a video so that audiences with visual impairments (inclusive of blind/low vision) can fully participate and engage with content. Audio description is delivered during natural pauses in dialogue or music and can help viewers better understand what is going on. Most audio description content posted online is “open”, meaning that it does not require any special equipment or headphones to listen to.
In this context, video descriptions provide a text-based description of visual elements in a video, acting as a transcript or summary that the viewer can read either with large print, a screen reader, or a braille display. The viewer may use the text-based description to provide additional context for what they are watching or to help fill in blanks after watching a video, ultimately answering the question “what did I just watch?” Video descriptions can also be a helpful educational tool for audiences learning a new skill or that may not be familiar with certain terminology— this gives them an easy way to look up information.
The primary difference between audio description and video descriptions in this context is that audio descriptions describe everything going on except for what is communicated by sound or verbal description; the focus is on what isn’t being said or heard. For video descriptions, the audio may be mentioned when it comes to describing song choice or writing a transcript of spoken content, but the primary focus is still on describing visual elements of the video.
Related links
- Fast Facts About Audio Description
- How To Write Video Descriptions For TikTok
- The Best Study Tips For Visually Impaired Students
Alt text and image descriptions for visually impaired
Alternative text (alt text) and image descriptions are text-based descriptions of visual details in an image written primarily for people who are visually impaired (inclusive of blind, low vision, and neurological visual impairment). For people with visual impairments that use assistive technology such as screen readers and braille displays, the alt text is displayed in lieu of the image so that the user can get information about what is in an image (blank alt text may just say “image”, providing no contextual information). If an image fails to load on a website, alt text will be displayed in its place, and alt text is also used for search engine optimization and image search tools— alt text is otherwise invisible to users who do not use assistive technology when they are accessing an image.
Image descriptions are similar to alt text descriptions that are used by screen readers to recognize images, but they are “exposed” as a caption or as accompanying text to an image so that anyone can read them, including people who use assistive technology. Image descriptions are often longer than alt text but still focus on providing descriptions of visual content, similar to a text-based video description.
Related links
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the Visually Impaired
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions For Flowers
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions For Jewelry
- How To Write Image Descriptions For Cosplay
- Zine Accessibility and Low Vision
Which is better: video tutorials or image tutorials?
When it comes to creating accessible crafting tutorials, content creators may be curious over whether video tutorials or image-based tutorials are more accessible for visually impaired audiences. Like almost every question about access preferences, the answer is “it depends,” but it can be helpful to know how visually impaired users specifically interact with these different formats.
Benefits of using video tutorials for craft projects include:
- Videos can be played on repeat or played multiple times
- Content can be viewed on mobile devices, computers, or larger screens depending on individual preference
- Screen magnification and pinch-to-zoom gestures make it possible to zoom in on a specific area of the video or enlarge content so that it is easier to see.
- Video playback speed can be altered/slowed down
- Volume can be adjusted, which can make it easier to focus on movement
- Craft videos often show someone working with supplies or moving their hands, which can be helpful for modeling how to work with different items
- Video classes may be more accessible for some crafters if in-person instruction is not feasible or available
- Users can browse social media for inspiration and use videos from others to inform their own designs or learn specific techniques
Benefits of using image tutorials for craft projects include:
- Images can be enlarged or magnified further to examine individual details
- Image tutorials often have accompanying text either as a caption, image description, or written on top of the image so that users can read at their own pace
- Other people who completed the crafting project can share photos of their own finished projects, which can be helpful for comparing different techniques
- Users can work through steps more slowly/deliberately without having to pause a video
- Some image tutorials use GIFs, which stitch together multiple images to show movement
- Creators can edit images to improve lighting conditions, contrast, or otherwise improve the visual accessibility or clarity of an image
When it comes to watching videos and understanding what is happening in real time, audio description provides viewers with the most “immersive” experience, as they do not have to look away from the video or otherwise change how they are watching it to hear the description. Text-based video descriptions on the other hand are located in a caption or separate file, so they require the viewer to look away from the video they are watching to focus on reading. That said, video descriptions can be helpful for providing a summary of what is happening in a video, or make it easier to reference instructions for a project.
Related links
- How To Describe Dance Choreography Videos For Visually Impaired
- Creating Audio Description For Recipe Videos
- How To Write Alt Text For Gifs
- How To Access Images Without Alt Text
Creating crafting tutorials with visual impairment access in mind
When creating video content and image-based tutorials for crafting videos, it is important to acknowledge the effect that visual characteristics of the environment can have on accessing information. Even if someone primarily accesses information visually (e.g. large print), the following factors can play a significant role in determining whether something is accessible to people with low vision or other visual impairments:
- Lighting plays a huge role in visual accessibility— ensure that the space is well-lit and there are no large shadows or glare from surfaces
- Avoid patterned or visually complex backgrounds that can make it more challenging to focus on items
- Place cameras on a tripod or stand to avoid shaky footage, which can be disorienting to watch
- When possible, choose supplies and materials that “pop” against the background— for example, dark colored yarn can be used in a video with a light-colored background
- Provide an option to view images in a new tab or full screen view so they can be enlarged further
- Remove visual clutter that is not being used for the project, such as office supplies or decorative items that are not being used to work on the project
- Consider posting some pictures without text labels when possible— having text written separately can be easier to enlarge/magnify or view with assistive technology
Solid colors are generally easier for people to see compared to patterns, which can create additional visual complexity. While there are definitely contexts where having patterned materials is appropriate, solid colored fabrics that are a different color than the background can be easier to see.
Related links
- Lighting And Low Vision
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- Making Friendship Bracelets With Low Vision
- How To Make Your Instagram Feed Accessible For Visual Impairment
- Avoiding Flashing Lights On Social Media
Tools for creating video descriptions and image descriptions for crafts and DIY content
For users that are creating video descriptions or audio description for their crafting videos, there are several tools and strategies that can be used to create accessible content for visually impaired audiences, which include:
- For creators recording their own videos, narration can be incorporated into the recording process by providing detailed verbal descriptions of movements as they appear on the screen. For example, an instructor can share a set of steps or the name of specific techniques in real time, while avoiding phrases such as “like this” or “over there” without providing additional clarification on what “this” looks like or where “there” is.
- One option for adding audio description to YouTube videos is the free YouDescribe web application, which offers options for recording inline descriptions that play alongside the video, as well as extended descriptions that allow creators to pause videos and go into more detail about what is happening.
- For videos recorded on an iOS device, the Clips application can be used to add additional narration to videos and record audio description.
- When posting videos on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, a video description can be shared or linked in the video caption or description, so that users can read the description on their own. Alternatively, a comment containing description can be pinned to the top of a feed.
Unlike captions, audio description and video description cannot be automatically generated, and will need to be written by someone watching the video— AI-generated “scene description” tools are not appropriate for crafting or DIY videos that require audiences to follow precise instructions. While some videos have used synthesized voices to deliver descriptive audio (especially on TikTok), human narrators are generally preferred by visually impaired audiences.
Related links
- How To Create Audio Description For YouTube With YouDescribe
- How To Create Accessible Videos and Narrated Images With Clips
- How To Describe Primary Source Videos For Visually Impaired Audiences
- Recording Video Lectures For Visually Impaired Students
What to include when describing craft tutorials and instructions
Examples of information to include either in text-based descriptions or audio descriptions of craft projects or DIY videos include:
Introduction
Many crafting videos start with a title screen or short introduction. At the beginning of the video, the name of the project and the channel name/account name/creator featured in the video should be acknowledged.
Types of materials being used
Similar to ingredients for a recipe video, many crafting tutorials feature an image or video of the supplies someone will need to complete a project, as well as equipment. Depending on the context of the video, it may make sense to mention specific brand names or colors for materials, such as a specific color of yarn or paint. If the items are arranged in a specific order, the description should read/list them from left to right and top to bottom.
Mentioning the color of items may not be necessary if it has no impact on the final project— for example, no one will likely care that the sewing scissors are orange, and they don’t need orange scissors specifically for the project. However, if someone is working with multiple types of scissors (such as with paper crafting), it is helpful to mention the color and type of scissors being used so that users can identify individual items.
Measurements and quantities for materials
What size needles are being used? How big is that canvas? How many skeins of yarn are needed? What is the size of the finished project? This information can be helpful for adding additional context or clarification about the project, or for figuring out what supplies will be needed.
On-screen text
Any on-screen text should be written verbatim, which can be helpful for keeping track of steps or getting information about materials. If text is read out loud by voiceover narration, this can be skipped.
Terminology and techniques
At each step, provide a description of the techniques being used using appropriate crafting terminology— avoid sharing objective information like “this is hard” or “you might have trouble with this.” Unless the video is being used to teach a specific crafting technique or show a way of doing something, there is no need to describe how to do said technique or what a particular tool looks like. If the video is designed to synthesize existing knowledge, sharing the name of the technique with no description on how to do it is acceptable.
Another common filming technique for craft videos is to speed up footage or use time lapse footage to show changes in materials or appearance over time. If known, the amount of time passing should be shared, along with how the project has changed. For example, use the purl stitch for 17 rows, paint angle strokes to fill the canvas, or wait 60 minutes before starting the next step.
If specific terminology is not available, describe the movement using kinesthetic or tactile imagery so that someone could replicate it, instead of trying to describe what something looks like visually.
Color names
For projects that rely on specific types of colors, it is helpful to include shade names such as cobalt, royal purple, coral, or product numbers/colors. There’s no need to describe what the color blue looks like in general, though it may be helpful to describe shade names that may not be familiar to the audience— for example, primary yellow is a bright shade of yellow.
Description of finished project
What does the finished project look like? This can include how colors are arranged, the size of the project, shapes or patterns, or how it is worn or displayed (such as attached to a wall or wrapped twice around something). Knowing what “done” looks like can help with creating a visual model for how the finished project should look.
Related links
- Painting Pottery With Low Vision
- Decorating Easter Eggs With Low Vision
- Art Classes and Low Vision
- Making Friendship Bracelets With Low Vision
- How To Write Alt Text For Color Palettes
- Adapting Accessible Trifold Posters For Low Vision
- How To Describe Science Experiments For Visually Impaired Students
More resources on how to make crafting tutorials accessible
- Want tips for describing art for visually impaired viewers? Check out How To Write Alt Text For Amateur Art
- Looking for art project ideas for low vision? Check out my Pinterest board Arts and Crafts Projects for Low Vision by Veron4ica: Pinterest
- Some crafting podcasts offer enhanced visual descriptions and audio instructions for creating various projects, I write about various types of podcasts in Audio and Nonvisual Entertainment Ideas For Blind and Low Vision
- If you enjoyed this post for audio description for crafting, check out How Amazon Alexa Can Help You With Art
Published May 19, 2020. Updated January 2025