1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:
- 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.
Prerecorded audio-only content may include speeches, sound bites, and background noise. A static image that is displayed while audio content plays may also be considered prerecorded audio-only if the information displayed within the visual is also included within screen text. “Short sounds used to notify the user, such as confirmation beeps and error notifications” are excluded from prerecorded audio-only.
An example of prerecorded audio-only content would be a speech that plays when a button is selected. A transcript is an alternative that will provide a text equivalent of what is being presented audibly for those who may have limited hearing or are without hearing. For audio, the transcript must include all spoken words, identification of different speakers (if applicable), and a description of any relevant sounds.
Prerecorded video-only content could present information via animation, text, graphics, a scene, activities, or facial expressions of living things. A media file that shows video with insignificant background sound (i.e., the sound does not contribute to the video’s meaning) may be considered video-only. An example of this would be a media file that shows how to make brownies with a guitar strumming softly in the background.
Another example of prerecorded video-only content is a silent movie. A transcript to the silent movie would be an alternative that provides a text equivalent describing what is presented visually. Another option would be to provide an audio track. Video-only alternatives should include all visual information and actions. This allows users with limited vision or who are without vision to access the same information and “can also make it easier for those with cognitive, language and learning disabilities to understand the content because it would provide parallel presentation.”
Files that have both meaningful audio AND meaningful video are not covered in this Success Criteria.
Impact of Nonconformance with SC 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
| Type of Disability | Description of Impact |
|---|---|
| 302.1 Without Vision | Users who are blind cannot use a mouse to interact with electronic content and typically use an assistive technology, such as a screen reader, to get audible or other alternative output for the information represented visually. To be able to navigate the content, understand its structure and relationships, and understand the meaning of content represented in graphics and images, the content must provide textual and programmatic cues in addition to the content presented purely visually. |
| 302.2 With Limited Vision | Users with limited vision may have widely different visual perception. Individuals with limited vision may or may not use assistive technologies. Therefore, in addition to textual and programmatic cues necessary for assistive technologies, ICT must also present content consistently and predictably. Users who view content with magnifiers may not pick up alerts, warnings, or other content if such content is presented outside of a consistent and predictable navigation pattern or if the content is not itself viewable at large magnification. Content that becomes distorted when magnified can also prevent some users with limited vision from being able to understand or interact with the content. |
| 302.4 Without Hearing | When ICT provides information, instructions, or cues audibly, users who are deaf will not receive the information. Typically, providing the same information visibly (e.g., providing a warning light or textual dialog to accompany an audible warning sound or captions for audio dialog and other audible information in a video) will enable users who are deaf to get equivalent information. |
| 302.5 With Limited Hearing | Some users cannot hear sounds below certain volumes or at certain frequencies and may not be able hear certain audio outputs from ICT. Background noise can also be problematic for users with limited hearing. Providing modes of operation that enhance audio clarity (e.g., filtering out hisses and pops, blocking sounds at specific frequencies, normalizing voice volumes, removing constant tone patterns), increase the range of volume, increase volume at higher frequencies, and/or give users control over such settings can help users with limited hearing understand, navigate, and operate the ICT. Users with limited hearing may also benefit from some of the same methods used to provide information to users without hearing. |
| 302.9 With Limited Language, Cognitive, and Learning Abilities | Some users require more time than average to process information while others may find complicated instructions difficult to follow. Furthermore, some ICT content can distract or overwhelm users, preventing them from being able to interact with or understand other ICT content. Designers and developers of ICT must consider a broad range of cognitive abilities in order to provide ICT that is simple and easy to use. |
Applicability of Success Criteria 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
| Technology | Applicability of SC 1.2.1 |
|---|---|
| Web | Applies directly; developers can provide text alternatives for audio-only and video-only content directly in the same Web page that presents the audio-only or video-only content as a separate text transcript file. |
| Software | Applies directly; developers can provide text alternatives for audio-only and video-only content directly in the native software or as a separate text transcript file. |
| Office documents | Applies directly; developers can provide text alternatives for audio-only and video-only content directly in same document or as a separate text transcript file. |
| PDF documents | Applies directly; developers can provide text alternatives for audio-only and video-only content directly in same document or as a separate text transcript file. |
| Mobile Native | Applies directly; developers can provide text alternatives for audio-only and video-only content directly in the mobile-native software or as a separate text transcript file. |