Beyond the mandates: The far‐reaching benefits of multimedia accessibility

Key points

• Convergence of international standards has made requirements for accessible multimedia content clearer.
• Legal and commercial pressure for accessible content is mounting for higher education institutions (HEIs) and publishers as highlighted by recent high‐profile settlements in North America.
• Accessibility requirements for multimedia can be met by setting realistic, progressive goals and focusing resources on key content.
• Multimedia accessibility benefits range from wider audiences and increased user engagement to greater discoverability and improved search engine optimization.
• Vendors are ramping up their offerings for accessible production, and costs are going down.