1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Introduction
This document provides information about the Web Governance accessibility check:
Does the visual content on video have a text or audio description?
What
Pre-recorded video content must include an alternative that provides the same information for users who cannot see the video. There are two approaches to meeting this requirement:
Audio description: Adds narration during pauses in dialogue to describe important visual elements like actions, characters, and scene changes.
Text alternative: An alternative for time-based media provides a running description of all that is going on in the synchronized media content. The alternative for time-based media reads something like a screenplay or book. Unlike audio description, the description of the video portion is not constrained to just the pauses in the existing dialogue. Full descriptions are provided of all visual information, including visual context, actions and expressions of actors, and any other visual material. In addition, non-speech sounds (laughter, off-screen voices, etc.) are described, and transcripts of all dialogue are included. The sequence of description and dialogue transcripts are the same as the sequence in the synchronized media itself. As a result, the alternative for time-based media can provide a much more complete representation of the synchronized media content than audio description alone.
Why
When video content does not have an accessible alternative, it significantly limits the ability of blind or visually impaired users to access important information. Videos often convey critical details visually, and without a proper alternative such as audio descriptions or good text-based alternatives, these users are excluded from the full content. Provide an accessible alternative to ensure that everyone, regardless of their ability to see the video, has equal access to the information presented.
Who
Affected users
This check affects individuals with:
Blindness or visual impairments: Who rely on audio descriptions or other non-visual alternatives to understand the information conveyed in videos.
User story
Fatima is a 33-year-old woman from Morocco who lost her sight at the age of 12 due to a degenerative eye condition. She works as a radio presenter for a local station in Casablanca focusing on social and cultural issues.
"During the recent floods in Casablanca, it was terrifying for me and so many other blind people. The authorities were sending out videos with infographics to show how the disaster was spreading and which areas were at risk, but there was no audio! Without any description, I couldn’t follow what was happening at all. It wasn’t just uncomfortable – it was pure fear, for myself and for my family and friends. I had to rely on asking around and waiting for someone to explain, but in an emergency, we should have access to the information just as quickly as everyone else."
Examples
Example: Missing audio description for visual information
During a natural disaster, authorities release video updates that show the spread and impact of flooding in an affected city. However, the video does not provide audio descriptions for the visual information. This makes it difficult for blind residents to stay adequately informed about the situation.
This lack of audio descriptions hinders blind users from accessing vital updates on their surroundings during a crisis.
Example: Effective use of audio description for visual information
During a natural disaster, authorities release video updates showing the spread and impact of flooding in an affected city. The video includes detailed audio descriptions that provide essential context for the visual information, enabling all viewers, including blind residents, to stay informed about the situation as it unfolds.
In each video update, audio descriptions are integrated to narrate crucial visual details, such as:
The water levels rising in specific neighborhoods
Evacuation routes and areas impacted by flooding
Key landmarks affected by the floodwaters
Visual cues about the severity of the flood, like submerged cars or damaged buildings
These audio descriptions ensure that blind residents receive essential information in real-time, enabling them to make informed decisions about safety measures, evacuation, or shelter options.
How
This section provides instructions on how to identify, review, and fix the issue.
How to identify it
The Acquia Web Governance platform identifies non-streaming video elements in the code.
How to review it
Determine whether the visual content of the video has an accessible alternative. To do this, check whether the visual content in the video has an accessible alternative.
The video can be marked as Reviewed in the platform if one of the following is true:
Audio description: Important visual information is described in the audio (either in the main track, a separate audio track, or an alternative version of the video).
Complete transcript: A transcript is available that includes:
All spoken dialogue
Important sounds
Essential visual information
The transcript must be available on the same page or accessed by a clear link near the video.
Marked as a video alternative to text: The same information is already available as text on the page, and the video is clearly identified as a video version of that content, for example, Video version of the above article.
If the video contains new or additional information that is not available as text, it does not meet this condition.
Does the visual content on video have a text or audio description?
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Introduction
This document provides information about the Web Governance accessibility check:
Does the visual content on video have a text or audio description?
What
Pre-recorded video content must include an alternative that provides the same information for users who cannot see the video. There are two approaches to meeting this requirement:
Audio description: Adds narration during pauses in dialogue to describe important visual elements like actions, characters, and scene changes.
Text alternative: An alternative for time-based media provides a running description of all that is going on in the synchronized media content. The alternative for time-based media reads something like a screenplay or book. Unlike audio description, the description of the video portion is not constrained to just the pauses in the existing dialogue. Full descriptions are provided of all visual information, including visual context, actions and expressions of actors, and any other visual material. In addition, non-speech sounds (laughter, off-screen voices, etc.) are described, and transcripts of all dialogue are included. The sequence of description and dialogue transcripts are the same as the sequence in the synchronized media itself. As a result, the alternative for time-based media can provide a much more complete representation of the synchronized media content than audio description alone.
Why
When video content does not have an accessible alternative, it significantly limits the ability of blind or visually impaired users to access important information. Videos often convey critical details visually, and without a proper alternative such as audio descriptions or good text-based alternatives, these users are excluded from the full content. Provide an accessible alternative to ensure that everyone, regardless of their ability to see the video, has equal access to the information presented.
Who
Affected users
This check affects individuals with:
Blindness or visual impairments: Who rely on audio descriptions or other non-visual alternatives to understand the information conveyed in videos.
User story
Fatima is a 33-year-old woman from Morocco who lost her sight at the age of 12 due to a degenerative eye condition. She works as a radio presenter for a local station in Casablanca focusing on social and cultural issues.
"During the recent floods in Casablanca, it was terrifying for me and so many other blind people. The authorities were sending out videos with infographics to show how the disaster was spreading and which areas were at risk, but there was no audio! Without any description, I couldn’t follow what was happening at all. It wasn’t just uncomfortable – it was pure fear, for myself and for my family and friends. I had to rely on asking around and waiting for someone to explain, but in an emergency, we should have access to the information just as quickly as everyone else."
Examples
Example: Missing audio description for visual information
During a natural disaster, authorities release video updates that show the spread and impact of flooding in an affected city. However, the video does not provide audio descriptions for the visual information. This makes it difficult for blind residents to stay adequately informed about the situation.
This lack of audio descriptions hinders blind users from accessing vital updates on their surroundings during a crisis.
Example: Effective use of audio description for visual information
During a natural disaster, authorities release video updates showing the spread and impact of flooding in an affected city. The video includes detailed audio descriptions that provide essential context for the visual information, enabling all viewers, including blind residents, to stay informed about the situation as it unfolds.
In each video update, audio descriptions are integrated to narrate crucial visual details, such as:
The water levels rising in specific neighborhoods
Evacuation routes and areas impacted by flooding
Key landmarks affected by the floodwaters
Visual cues about the severity of the flood, like submerged cars or damaged buildings
These audio descriptions ensure that blind residents receive essential information in real-time, enabling them to make informed decisions about safety measures, evacuation, or shelter options.
How
This section provides instructions on how to identify, review, and fix the issue.
How to identify it
The Acquia Web Governance platform identifies non-streaming video elements in the code.
How to review it
Determine whether the visual content of the video has an accessible alternative. To do this, check whether the visual content in the video has an accessible alternative.
The video can be marked as Reviewed in the platform if one of the following is true:
Audio description: Important visual information is described in the audio (either in the main track, a separate audio track, or an alternative version of the video).
Complete transcript: A transcript is available that includes:
All spoken dialogue
Important sounds
Essential visual information
The transcript must be available on the same page or accessed by a clear link near the video.
Marked as a video alternative to text: The same information is already available as text on the page, and the video is clearly identified as a video version of that content, for example, Video version of the above article.
If the video contains new or additional information that is not available as text, it does not meet this condition.
Web Governance