WCAG 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) Explained

The 1.2.1 audio-only and video-only guideline is included in the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.2 Level A guidelines. WCAG 2.2 is the internationally recognized standard for measuring website ADA (Americans with Disabilities) compliance.

Website elements that are audio-only or video-only will exclude certain disabled users if they don’t present accessible alternatives. If that happens, the website is considered non-compliant, even if every other element is accessible.

What is the 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only WCAG Guideline?

This guideline only applies to prerecorded video-only and audio-only media elements on a website. It does not apply to any live media.

For these elements to be compliant, they must adhere to the following:

Audio-only media – Disabled users can access the same information from this element that non-disabled users can. This is done by using an alternative method, such as a transcript of the audio-only element.

Video-only media – Users who have vision problems or cognitive disabilities can access the video elements on a website in the same way non-disabled users can. The methods for doing so are by either providing an audio track describing the content of the video or through a transcript that can be read aloud by a disabled user’s screen reader.

How to fix

Audio-Only

A podcast is a good example of audio-only media. Audio-only media on a website page needs to be accessible to deaf users, the hard of hearing and individuals who understand content better when they read it instead of listening to it

The most common way to fix accessibility issues with audio-only content is to provide a transcript that is accessible to all users, no matter the assistive technology they employ. This can be done by providing a hyperlink to the transcript or via another document.

Any sound notifications such as beeps and error sounds don’t need to be described as long as they’re labeled for what they are.

Video-Only

Video-only media on a page can include animation, graphics and charts in addition to videos. Since blind users or individuals with poor vision can’t see these elements, they need to experience them differently. One of the best methods for accomplishing this is by using transcripts for each video element. By doing this, these users can count on their screen readers for descriptions of what’s on the page.

Another alternative is to provide an audio track that describes what’s happening in the video media. This method can also help those with cognitive and learning disabilities better understand the video-only elements on the page.

Video labeled as a media alternative to text doesn’t need a description attached to it.

What is the Success Criterion?

The Success Criterion aims to make sure prerecorded audio-only and video-only media can be accessed by all visitors to a website:

• Blind users should be able to access video-only elements through the use of assistive technology screen readers that describe these elements. Alternatively, users who are blind and deaf can read transcripts that describe the content of the video via braille keyboards.
• Deaf users, those who have some hearing loss and users who have trouble processing audio-only elements should be able to access a text alternative to any audio-only content they encounter.

Here are two examples of compliant elements:

• Compliant audio-only element – An audio-only recording of a town hall meeting provides a link or alternative page with a full transcript of the meeting, including the names of the speakers, questions from the audience and any reactions from either group (laughter, applause, boos).
• Compliant video-only element – A video-only animation demonstrates how to hit a tennis forehand properly. The slow-motion video is broken down into four steps. Disabled users can access an audio track that describes the four steps in detail.

At this time, text to sign language translations don’t exist, but it is being developed.

Exceptions

One exception to the 1.2.1 guideline for audio-only and video-only elements involves multimedia. If the multimedia element is being used instead of text, captions aren’t required.

Auto-generated captions are acceptable, but they shouldn’t be relied on exclusively. They should always be checked by a person to make sure they’re accurate and easy to understand.