I discussed non-text content last week and mentioned video. WCAG decided to be specific when addressing items that fall under the bigger 1.1.1 criteria.
In success criteria 1.2.1, we’re informed we need to provide one of two options, unless the audio or video IS the alternative. Let’s look at our options:
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/#audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded
- 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.
OK, what are our key words? “Time-based media” is mentioned in both. We see in three places, this is about pre-recorded media and not live. This means we can use the edited audio or video. We can then give it to someone to create a transcript. They can also make closed captions for videos.
Once returned, we offer a link to the transcript. This can be an accessible PDF, but it is often easier to to make it HTML. The transcript doesn’t need to live on another page. The preferred method is to use a disclosure next to or below the media. When closed the content is hidden. The user who needs it, can expand the transcript to read.
If we are working with video, does it have an audio track that describes everything in the video? This is usually an audio description track. It’s provided in addition to the regular audio track. It will describe what is happening without needing to see. One of my favorite examples is a Frozen trailer:
Transcripts are easy. There are many ways to get them done, and some are super cheap. But before you ever put the transcripts on your site, have someone, better yet several, proof them.
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