ANN ARBOR, MI, July 23, 2020 –ProQuest has announced the addition of audio descriptions to its most-watched video titles in theAcademic Video OnlineandProQuest One™Academicplatforms, making educational streaming video more accessible to visually impaired users.
Audio description adds narration to a video, describing its on-screen images for the benefit of those with visual impairments. ProQuest has already added audio descriptions to its most popular titles, and will continue to add more upon request by a library at no charge.
“我很感激这个服务——这证明s a strong commitment to equity and accessibility,” saidCharlotte Innerd, Head of Collection Development and Acquisitions atWilfrid Laurier University Library. “This is going to be a great resource for students who normally run into impediments to their learning by not having access to videos, or not having access in a timely manner. This will address their individual needs and help us build a library of accessible videos."
Audio-described video is the latest feature to improve accessibility of content within Academic Video Online. Searchable, scrolling transcripts are also available for most of the database’s nearly 70,000 titles, assisting those with hearing impairments and language obstacles.
“Having videos for certain courses captioned, transcribed and audio-described gives all students the ability to learn from and more fully experience these videos,” saidMelanie Eley, Accessibility Coordinator at UNC Greensboro. “Those of us in the accessibility field dream of this. It’s a perfect model for how universities and multimedia providers can work together to produce quality products that are essential for users with different abilities, but useful to all.”
“ProQuest built this feature – a first for the academic streaming video market – after collaboration with and feedback from many of our trusted library partners. They believe, and we agree, that educational products need to be accessible to all students and faculty, regardless of ability,” saidSarah Brennan, Video Product Manager at ProQuest. “Accessibility is a key piece of our product development strategy, and this new feature is one example of how we’re working with libraries to accommodate more users.”
See asampleof audio-described video.
Learn moreabout audio-described video on our blog – or see how torequest it(some limits may apply).
The Academic Video Online platform is the most comprehensive video subscription available to libraries. It includes nearly 70,000 titles spanning a wide range of subject areas, and supports remote learning with unlimited access, free media hosting and easy integration with learning management systems. All Academic Video Online titles are also available through the ProQuest One™Academic platform.
UNC Greensboro, located in thePiedmont Triad regionof North Carolina, is one of only 40 doctoral institutions recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for bothhigh research activityandcommunity engagement. Founded in 1891 and one of the original threeUNC Systeminstitutions, UNC Greensboro isone of the most diverse universitiesin the state with20,000+ studentsand3,000+ faculty and staffmembers representing 90+ nationalities. With17 Division I athletic teams, 85undergraduate degreesin over 125areas of study, as well as 74 master’s and 32 doctoralprograms, UNC Greensboro is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities foracademic excellence and value, with noted strengths inhealth and wellness,visual and performing arts,nursing,educationand more. For additional information, please visituncg.eduand follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About ProQuest(//www.yobetvip.app)
ProQuest supports the important work in the world’s research and learning communities. The company curates six centuries of content – the world’s largest collection of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news, and video – and builds powerful workflow solutions to help libraries acquire and grow collections that inspire extraordinary outcomes. ProQuest products and services are used in academic, K-12, public, corporate and government libraries in 150 countries.
Along with its companies and affiliates Ex Libris, Alexander Street, and Bowker, ProQuest helps its customers achieve better research, better learning and better insights. For more information, visit ourProQuestandExtraordinary Storiesblogs, and follow us onTwitter,FacebookorInstagram.