About

Version: WCAG 2.0 and up
Number: 1.2.1
Level: A
Applicability:
  • Audio clips
  • Video without any accompany audio
Requirement:

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.
Guidance:
Techniques:

Purpose

The purpose of this success criterion is to ensure that users who cannot hear audio clips or see videos clips still have access to the information conveyed by this content.

How to Meet

For both audio and video clips, the author typically must include a transcript.

For audio clips, the transcript must identify the speakers and what they are saying.

For video clips, in addition to any text presented during the clip, the transcript also must identify any characters and the actions they perform.

Another alternative for video is to provide an audio track that describes the video.

Note

This success criterion only applies to video without audio. An example is an instructional animation that shows the steps to carry out but does not narrate them. For making video with an audio track accessible, refer to Captions (Prerecorded)

Additional Information

The following knowledge base pages provide more information about how to address this success criterion for publishing content: