1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Conformance level: A
Criterion released in WCAG version: 2.0
Official description of the success criterion
An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
What to do?
Provide an audio description for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.
Why is it important?
Makes visual content accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.
Common pitfalls
Audio descriptions or media alternatives very rarely exist at all. It often is a problem of not knowing they should be provided.
How to test for it?
Check the video and ensure that the alternative
- exists and
- the alternative contains the same information as the media.
This also relates to criterion 1.2.5. If the video has an audio description, it meets the requirements for both these criteria.