HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader)

This extension plays audio description track elements of HTML5 videos via a screenreader.
What is HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader)?
The 'HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader)' is a Chrome extension designed to render audio descriptions for HTML5 videos using a screenreader. This enhances the accessibility of videos, especially for the visually impaired. Currently, it supports ChromeVox screenreader and requires the activation of 'Enable <track> element' experiment in chrome://flags/ for proper functioning. The language supported depends on the screenreader in use. It is in alignment with Axs-Chrome, an open-source project aimed at enhancing accessibility.

Extension stats

Users: 2,000+
Rating: 2.36 (14)
Version: 1.0.3 (Last updated: 2012-08-10)
Creation date: 2012-08-10
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • <all_urls>
  • tts
Size: 39.07K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

IMPORTANT: Please activate the “Enable <track> element” experiment in chrome://flags/ This experiment MUST be enabled for the extension to work.

Use this extension if you want your screenreader to render audio descriptions. For the extension that plays via Chrome text to speech, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/a/google.com/detail/jafenodgdcelmajjnbcchlfjomlkaifp

Currently supported screenreaders:

  • ChromeVox
  • Mac OS X VoiceOver is not fully supported

Languages supported:

  • depends on language support of your screenreader

Keyboard shorcuts: For keyboard shortcuts, press alt + ? while on a webpage.

This is part of the Axs-Chrome open-source project http://code.google.com/p/google-axs-chrome/, which supports extensions that enhance accessibility. You can submit feedback to the Axs-Chrome discussion group: https://groups.google.com/group/axs-chrome-discuss?pli=1

User reviews

As a sighted web developer I couldn't get this to do anything when it was enabled. If I were blind it would be impossible to activate... even if that did anything.
by Bryan Myers, 2018-08-20

no instructions!
by Bradley Johnson, 2018-06-06

There's no instructions. I can't figure out how to work it.
by Daubney Thielking, 2017-11-29
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader) requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader) has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Promo images

HTML5 Audio Description (via screenreader) small promo image
Small promo image

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