1.2.x
For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:
Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content.
Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.
Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.
An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
(If you check for 1.2.5 (AA), you don't need to check for 1.2.3 (A) as it's overridden by it.)
Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.
If there is audio or a video embedded in a website (with or without sound) that has either meaningful sound or visuals (or both) that can be put into words.
If the visuals or sound is an alternative to text already on the page and it's clear that it's an alternative, there are no other alternatives required. Check if the alternatives are made available in direct context to the original media.
For live media, the only alternative required is captions for meaningful sound in a video.
Check media has:
- captions for meaningful sound in synchronised media (unless media is an alternative itself)
- an audio description for meaningful visuals in synchronised media (unless live)
- a transcript for only meaningful sound (unless live or is an alternative itself)
- an audio description or a transcript for only meaningful visuals (unless media is an alternative itself)
You can use this interactive tool and W3C guidance to understand what alternatives are required.
- Video with meaningful visuals and sound (regular videos), for example:
- Drama with some dialogue usually needs an audio description because of something happening on the screen, or someone's facial expressions will be meaningful
- A news report with full commentary doesn't need an audio description because the commentary is already an audio description
- Video only (or with non-meaningful background music or sound), for example:
- Silent film needs audio description
- Film showcasing paintings which are hard to describe in words, in which case they should only identify what the video is about and give a brief description
- Audio only (including video without meaningful visuals) such as podcasts or songs on YouTube need a transcript
Watch and listen to the media. It's fine to spot check some random bits of the media to check if the alternatives correspond to the relevant information.
Check:
- the alternatives convey the same information (it does not need to be exactly the same)
- different speakers are indicated for sound alternatives - ideally, captions should not use colour alone to indicate different speakers and should meet the minimum colour contrast requirements, but you do not need to check this
- captions are either shown by default or can be enabled
- captions include not only spoken dialogue but also any non-vocal audio that is important to understand the meaning
Audio descriptions can be:
- part of the original sound
- a separate sound track
- a separate other video linked from close to the original video
Transcripts should:
- have a sequenced description of what is being said and what is happening
- follow the same order as in the video
- include all important visual information
- include links or similar to interactive content
Having only a transcript for synchronised media is still a fail, but good to have in addition to captions.
- if the media is not synchronised or its synchronisation is not important to the meaning, for example a video about a city with a voiceover but the images are not directly related to what is being said
- videos of sign language only
A transcript can be considered an alternative to the text on the page, but only if the synchronised media is audio-only or visual-only and if the media is clearly marked as an alternative to the transcript. Media with both audio and video still needs an audio description.
Audio descriptions do not need to be included in the captions (although it's useful) unless under AAA.
No difference