Web Governance
Does audio content in a video have an accessible alternative?
Video elements containing audio must provide captions that convey the audio information in text format.
Captions are crucial for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as they provide access to information presented through audio in videos. Captions also benefit many others. For example, someone in a noisy café might not be able to hear the video and can rely on captions to follow along. In a quiet library, a person may choose to mute the audio and read the captions instead. Additionally, captions can assist language learners or those who process information better when when they read and listen simultaneously.
This check affects individuals with the following:
Mei-Ling is a 41-year-old woman originally from Chengdu, China, now living in Brighton, England. She works as a ceramic artist and runs her own studio. Mei-Ling became deaf as a teenager due to an illness and uses both British Sign Language (BSL) and written communication to interact with her clients and manage her business.
"I cannot count how many times I have felt stuck because a video I need to watch for my work does not have captions. You would think people would realize by now that not everyone can just turn up the volume. I rely on visual information so much, but without captions, it is like a whole door shuts in my face. I hate having to ask someone else to help all the time. It is not just frustrating, it is embarrassing. I am a professional, I should not need a translator to understand basic things, especially when it is critical for my business.
Just last week, I had to watch a tutorial about a new glaze technique for ceramics. The video was in English, but without captions, I could not follow the detailed instructions. I ended up having to ask one of my hearing colleagues to sit with me and explain it – wasting both of our time. It made me feel helpless, like I could not run my own studio efficiently. And it is not just about me; it is about respect for anyone who is deaf. We deserve to be able to work just like everyone else, without being constantly reminded of how we are left out."
Without captions, viewers who cannot hear the audio miss out on critical instructions about evacuation routes, emergency kits, and safety measures.
A government website features an important video that explains how citizens should prepare and respond in case of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood. The video includes captions, which ensures that all users, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, can access the life-saving information.
With captions, viewers can follow the critical instructions on evacuation routes, emergency kits, and safety measures, even when they cannot hear the audio.
This section provides instructions on how to identify and review the issue.
The Acquia Web Governance platform highlights non-streaming video elements in the code.
If the captions meet these criteria, you can mark the video as Reviewed.
If not, resolve the issue:. You must add or correct the captions before you mark the video as Reviewed.
For further information, visit How to review an accessibility issue.
Related accessibility conformance testing (glossary term, activate to view definition) rules.
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Web Governance