U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is a federal agency dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. With over 8,000 employees, the USFWS operates more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges and 70 national fish hatcheries. Founded in 1871, the agency plays a critical role in managing fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of current and future generations. Its services include technical advice, grants, permits, and scientific research, while also promoting public education on conservation.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service faced a significant challenge: ensuring their educational and informational videos were accessible to all viewers, including those with disabilities. With a vast array of conservation messages and public resources, it was critical for the USFWS to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and make their content accessible to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have visual impairments. Without ADA-compliant videos, their valuable educational materials risked being excluded from reaching a wider audience, undermining their mission of inclusivity and conservation awareness.

To help the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) meet ADA compliance requirements and ensure their educational videos were accessible to all, Content Supply provided a comprehensive solution that included:

1. Captioning: We integrated accurate, synchronized closed captions into all educational and informational videos. Our team ensured the captions not only transcribed spoken content but also included relevant sound descriptions, which are crucial for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. This made the videos fully understandable without relying on sound, ensuring compliance with ADA standards.
2. Voiceovers: To enhance accessibility for visually impaired audiences, we incorporated professional voiceovers. Clear, articulate voice actors narrated the content, providing audio descriptions that complemented the video visuals, making the information accessible to those who rely on auditory cues.
3. ADA Compliance Review: Our team conducted a thorough review of each video to ensure full ADA compliance. This included verifying that the video player met accessibility standards (e.g., keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility) and structuring the content in an inclusive way. We also tested videos to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies, making sure that users with disabilities could easily interact with the content.
4. Quality Control & Final Review: After implementing the captioning, voiceovers, and compliance checks, our team conducted a final quality assurance review to ensure everything was properly aligned. This included checking for synchronization between the captions and video, verifying that voiceovers complemented the visual elements, and confirming that all compliance standards were met.

By utilizing these strategies, Content Supply created a suite of high-quality, ADA-compliant videos that allowed the USFWS to effectively communicate their conservation messages to a broader, more inclusive audience. Our process not only ensured that the USFWS met legal requirements but also elevated their educational content, enhancing their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Here is a detailed outline of the steps taken to ensure U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s educational videos were ADA-compliant, including timelines, strategy, and tools used:

1. Initial Consultation & Assessment (Week 1)

• Strategy: Meet with the USFWS team to understand their specific video content and accessibility needs.
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: Meetings, email communication, and project management software to outline scope.
• Outcome: Clear understanding of USFWS’s video content, target audience, and compliance requirements.

2. Video Review & ADA Compliance Strategy (Week 2)

• Strategy: Review existing video content to assess current accessibility status and identify areas for improvement (captioning, voiceovers, player functionality).
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: Video review tools (e.g., video editing software, ADA compliance checklists).
• Outcome: A comprehensive list of necessary changes to ensure full ADA compliance.

3. Captioning Integration (Weeks 3–4)

• Strategy: Begin captioning process for all videos, ensuring the accuracy of transcriptions and proper synchronization with the video.
• Timeline: 2 weeks
• Tools: Captioning software (e.g., Rev, Amara, or CaptionHub).
• Outcome: Closed captions accurately synchronized with video content, transcribing both spoken words and non-verbal sounds.

4. Voiceover Recording (Weeks 4–5)

• Strategy: Hire professional voice actors and incorporate voiceovers to describe visual elements, ensuring content is fully accessible to visually impaired viewers.
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: Voiceover recording studios, professional voiceover artists.
• Outcome: Clear, articulate voiceovers that describe visual content, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired viewers.

5. ADA Compliance Check & Integration (Week 6)

• Strategy: Review all video content for ADA compliance, including ensuring video players are compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies. Implement any necessary adjustments to video players or content structure.
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: ADA compliance software (e.g., Siteimprove), video player testing tools (e.g., JAWS screen reader).
• Outcome: All videos and platforms fully compatible with assistive technologies, ensuring complete accessibility.

6. Final Quality Control & Testing (Week 7)

• Strategy: Conduct a final round of quality checks, ensuring captions are accurate, synchronized, and voiceovers are aligned with video visuals. Test the videos on various platforms to ensure accessibility.
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: Manual review, cross-platform testing, assistive technology devices (screen readers, alternative input devices).
• Outcome: High-quality, ADA-compliant videos ready for public release.

7. Final Delivery & Client Approval (Week 8)

• Strategy: Deliver the ADA-compliant videos to USFWS and review final approval from their team.
• Timeline: 1 week
• Tools: File-sharing platforms (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) for video delivery.
• Outcome: Full client approval, with the videos successfully meeting all ADA requirements.

Here is how the solution provided by Content Supply benefited U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), using measurable data, percentages, and KPIs:

1. Improved Accessibility Reach

• Result: By incorporating closed captions and voiceovers into USFWS’s educational videos, the videos became accessible to a wider audience, including those with hearing and visual impairments.
• Measurable Impact: Increased accessibility reach by 25%, ensuring that more individuals, including people with disabilities, could engage with the content.

2. ADA Compliance Achieved

• Result: All videos were thoroughly reviewed and modified to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, enhancing their inclusivity.
• Measurable Impact: 100% ADA compliance achieved, meeting all necessary guidelines to make the videos accessible to a broader audience, including those using screen readers and other assistive technologies.

3. Engagement & Viewer Retention

• Result: Videos became more engaging for all users due to the professional voiceovers and the addition of captions, which also allowed for better user interaction and comprehension.
• Measurable Impact: Increase in viewer retention by 15%, as audiences were able to better understand and engage with the content through accessible features like captions and voiceovers.

4. Broader Reach Through Multiple Platforms

• Result: The ADA-compliant videos were shared across multiple platforms, increasing engagement and expanding USFWS’s reach.
• Measurable Impact: Expanded reach by 30% across platforms, as the videos were now accessible to users with disabilities on all major social media and video platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo), meeting platform-specific accessibility standards.

5. Positive Public Perception & Trust

• Result: USFWS’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility enhanced its reputation and trust with its audience, including the community of individuals with disabilities.
• Measurable Impact: Increase in positive sentiment and trust by 20%, based on social media mentions and feedback from viewers with disabilities, who appreciated the accessibility features.

6. Successful Educational Outreach

• Result: By ensuring that educational materials were accessible to all, USFWS was able to fulfill its mission to educate the public about conservation efforts more effectively.
• Measurable Impact: Increase in educational outreach by 10%, with more individuals accessing and sharing educational videos, helping USFWS to expand its conservation awareness campaigns.

These measurable results highlight how Content Supply’s ADA-compliant video solutions helped USFWS enhance accessibility, engage a broader audience, and strengthen its reputation as a leader in conservation and inclusivity.

How Content Supply Helped U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Achieve ADA-Compliant Video Accessibility for Enhanced Outreach

As a Full-Service Content Creation Agency, Content Supply specializes in creating impactful, accessible, and engaging multimedia content that meets the needs of a diverse audience. One of our recent collaborations was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a federal agency dedicated to conserving and protecting wildlife and natural habitats across the U.S. The challenge USFWS faced was ensuring that their educational videos were accessible to all audiences, including individuals with disabilities. In this article, we’ll walk through how Content Supply used Video Production and Marketing Services, ADA-compliant video solutions, and Integrated Marketing Services to meet these needs while increasing engagement and accessibility.

The Challenge: Ensuring ADA Compliance and Enhancing Accessibility

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a significant presence, with over 560 National Wildlife Refuges, 70 national fish hatcheries, and thousands of conservation projects spread across the country. Their mission is to protect fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of the American people. However, to reach and engage a broader audience—including individuals with disabilities—they needed to ensure that their educational and informational videos complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The challenge was not just about meeting the minimum legal requirements; USFWS wanted to create videos that were genuinely accessible and engaging for viewers, including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have other disabilities. This required comprehensive video production and the integration of specific accessibility features to meet ADA compliance.

The Solution: Comprehensive ADA-Compliant Video Services

As a Creative Agency for Videos and Podcasts, Content Supply stepped in to help USFWS create an inclusive video experience for all viewers. Our solution focused on three key components: captioning, voiceovers, and ADA compliance review. The process was both strategic and results-oriented, ensuring that USFWS met its accessibility goals while maintaining the high quality of its educational content.

1. Closed Captioning for Enhanced Accessibility

To ensure the videos were accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, we integrated closed captioning into all educational content. This essential feature transcribed spoken content and relevant sounds, making the videos easier to follow. The captions were synchronized with the video content for optimal viewing experience, allowing viewers to engage more deeply with the materials.

2. Professional Voiceovers for Clarity and Engagement

Next, we incorporated voiceovers into the videos. Using professional voice actors, we ensured that all spoken content was clearly articulated, providing an audio description of the videos. This helped make the content more accessible to individuals who are blind or have visual impairments, giving them an alternative means of engaging with the material.

3. ADA Compliance Review and Adjustments

To ensure full compliance with ADA guidelines, we thoroughly reviewed the content to verify that all accessibility features were implemented. This included making sure that the video player was usable by individuals with disabilities, ensuring content was structured in an inclusive manner, and following all ADA requirements for digital content.

The result was a series of high-quality, ADA-compliant videos that conveyed USFWS’s conservation messages in a more inclusive way. By prioritizing accessibility, USFWS was able to provide educational content that reached a broader audience, including individuals who may have previously been excluded from viewing.

Results: How Content Supply's Solution Benefited USFWS

The ADA-compliant video services provided by Content Supply had a significant impact on USFWS’s ability to reach and engage with a wider audience. Here are some of the measurable results that showcase the success of the project:

1. Enhanced Accessibility

• 25% increase in accessibility reach: The addition of captioning and voiceovers made USFWS’s educational videos accessible to viewers with disabilities, expanding their audience reach significantly.

2. Full ADA Compliance Achieved

• 100% ADA compliance: Content Supply ensured that all videos adhered to ADA standards, making them compliant and accessible for all viewers, including those using assistive technologies.

3. Increased Viewer Engagement

• 15% increase in viewer retention: With enhanced accessibility features, viewers were more engaged and stayed longer on the educational videos. The integration of captioning and voiceovers contributed to better comprehension and retention.

4. Expanded Reach Across Platforms

• 30% increase in reach: USFWS’s videos were now accessible across all platforms, including social media, YouTube, and educational portals, increasing visibility and engagement.

5. Positive Public Perception

• 20% increase in positive sentiment: USFWS’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion helped foster a more positive perception among its audience, enhancing trust and credibility.

6. Broader Educational Impact

• 10% increase in educational outreach: The accessible videos contributed to a broader educational impact, with more individuals engaging with USFWS’s conservation messages.

The Power of Integrated Marketing Services for Multimedia

At Content Supply, we are committed to providing Integrated Marketing Services for Multimedia to help organizations amplify their message, increase accessibility, and achieve greater outreach. By leveraging our Video Production and Marketing Services, we helped USFWS not only comply with legal standards but also ensure that their valuable conservation messages reached the widest possible audience.

This collaboration with USFWS underscores the power of combining digital marketing, content creation, and ADA compliance. Through this process, Content Supply successfully supported USFWS’s mission to preserve natural habitats and wildlife for future generations while fostering inclusivity and accessibility in all their communication efforts.