All learners can find alternative formats useful, depending on the context in which they are learning. For example, transcripts can help them to follow a video or a piece of audio and make notes more easily.

Transcripts and subtitles make video and audio files more accessible to people with visual and hearing impairments. Video editing software has the functionality to add subtitles and captions. These should also be included in the transcript. If there are key visual elements not described in the audio of a video, you should include visual descriptions: W3C guidance on writing descriptive transcripts will help you do this. 

Video and audio files with a music soundtrack playing while a voice is speaking may not be accessible for everyone. It is harder to absorb spoken information through a continuous musical soundtrack, especially if the music is loud. If you are creating new video or audio for your course, use background music sparingly so that it enhances rather than overwhelms the message being conveyed.

Find out more about how to add captions and transcripts in the sections on embedding a video, adding an audio file and adding a transcript.