Level AAASince WCAG 2.0
1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Guideline 1.2: Time-based Media – Audio and video need captions, descriptions or transcripts.
What does the rule require?
Every video has a complete text version: everything said and everything shown. This especially helps deafblind people.
How to get it right
Write the transcript like a screenplay: dialogue plus descriptions of visuals, on-screen text and actions.
Who benefits most?
- Blind people
- Deaf people
Official wording
This page explains the rule in simple words. Only the original W3C text is normative.
- “Understanding Media Alternative (Prerecorded)” at W3C (external site)
- Techniques in the WCAG Quick Reference (external site)