Verbit’s new AI powered audio description: Scale accessibility & meet ADA Title II requirements

New AI solution makes audio description faster and more affordable across education, government, and corporate video content 

As a leader in voice AI, transcription and captioning solutions, Verbit’s team is excited to now announce the launch of AI Audio Description. This new automated audio description will help organizations meet growing accessibility demands for individuals who are blind or have vision loss and comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) referenced under ADA Title II.  
 
Audio description is a required accessibility feature for public institutions under the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II and is increasingly recognized as a best practice across government and corporate organizations. Verbit’s AI Audio Description dramatically reduces the cost and turnaround time associated with human-based audio description. AI AD makes it possible to scale accessibility across large volumes of video content and improve video compliance.  
 
“Organizations are facing unprecedented pressure to make huge volumes of video accessible, especially as ADA Title II deadlines approach,” said Nick Ruiz, Senior Product Manager for AI and Education at Verbit. “AI Audio Description removes one of the biggest barriers to compliance by making high-quality audio description scalable, predictable, and accessible for teams with limited resources. This technology is crucial for ADA video compliance and overall web accessibility.” 

What is audio description and why is it required under ADA Title II?

Audio description, sometimes referred to as the description of audio or visual narration, provides spoken explanations of important visual elements in video content. Audio description meaning on-screen text, graphics, actions, scene changes, and other visual information that may not be conveyed through dialogue alone – ensures that people who are blind or have low vision receive equivalent access to video content. It’s now a critical component of effective communication in digital media. 
 
Under ADA Title II, public institutions must meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, which includes audio description for pre-recorded video content where visual information is essential to understanding. This requirement is part of broader video accessibility requirements aimed at preventing disability discrimination. 
 
Historically, audio description adoption has been limited because it relied on time-intensive, human-only workflows. Verbit’s AI Audio Description generator addresses this challenge by automating the process while maintaining alignment with accessibility standards. 

AI Audio Description built for higher education and ADA Title II deadlines 

AI Audio Description is purpose-built to support colleges and universities preparing for ADA Title II compliance deadlines beginning in April 2026 for large public institutions and extending into April 2027 for smaller public entities. This solution is designed to work seamlessly with nearly every learning management system to ensure comprehensive accessibility. 
 
Higher education institutions manage massive libraries of recorded lectures, instructional videos, and departmental media. Many accessibility offices are working with limited resources and are unable to scale traditional audio description across all required content to meet ADA digital accessibility rules. Verbit’s AI Audio Description enables institutions to move beyond accommodation-only use and deliver proactive, institution-wide accessibility for more inclusive learning experiences. 
 
To further support colleges and universities in ADA Title II readiness, Verbit launched a full subscription plan, Campus Complete to keep costs manageable, and is hosting a five-part thought-leadership webinar series, with one specifically focused on AI audio description on January 21st. Verbit’s team is invested in accessibility training, helping institutional leaders understand compliance requirements, craft feasible implementation timelines, and enlist practical strategies for scaling audio description and other accessibility solutions. 

Audio description solutions for government agencies and public sector organizations 

Verbit’s AI Audio Description is also designed to support state and local governments and federal government agencies that must comply with accessibility mandates such as Section 508 standards of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG 2.1. 

Government organizations increasingly rely on video for: 

• Public-facing communications 

• Civic engagement and informational content 

• Employee training and internal communications 

By enabling fast, scalable audio description, Verbit helps public sector organizations ensure equitable access to video content while reducing compliance risk and operational strain. 

Audio description technology designed for corporate organizations 

For corporations, audio description is no longer limited to compliance-driven use cases. Companies are increasingly using audio description to support inclusive workplaces and provide accessible customer experiences. 

Verbit’s AI Audio Description helps corporate teams: 

• Make training and onboarding content accessible 

• Support employee accommodations 

• Reduce legal and reputational risk from accessibility lawsuits 

• Demonstrate measurable commitment to inclusion initiatives 

Scalable, English audio description designed for real-world workflows across industries 

Verbit’s AI Audio Description automatically generates natural, time-synced English audio description aligned with WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.2.5. The solution is available as a standalone service or bundled within Verbit’s broader accessibility offerings, including its Campus Complete subscription, with optional human review upgrades available for high-visibility content. 

Key benefits include: 

• Audio description delivered in hours, not days 

• Scalable coverage for enterprise and institution-wide rollouts 

• Integration with Verbit’s WCAG-compliant Smart Player, an accessible video player with keyboard navigation support 

• A clear, practical path to Title II compliance 

• Comprehensive accessibility reporting capabilities 

Leveraging audio description that improves accessibility, engagement, and discoverability 

Beyond compliance, Verbit’s audio description provides broader value across engagement and discoverability. The descriptive narration adds meaningful, indexable text that can improve video SEO and enhance discoverability on platforms like Google and YouTube. Audio description also helps users understand content in low-visual or multitasking environments, extending the reach and usability of video assets. 
 
With approximately 7 million Americans and 2.2 billion people worldwide navigating vision loss, scalable audio description is a critical component of inclusive digital experiences. These numbers are projected to significantly increase by 2030 due to aging, diabetes, and other chronic issues, making assistive technology – everything from an AI audio description generator to screen readers – even more critical. 
 
Verbit’s AI Audio Description is now available to support organizations as they prepare for evolving accessibility requirements and expectations for inclusive content. This technology is part of a comprehensive accessibility strategy Verbit provides, including closed captioning, live captions, and other WCAG 2.1 Level AA and ADA compliance services.