Understanding WCAG SC 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
1.2.3 Audio Description & Media Alternative
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): 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. (Level A)
This success criterion intends that video with audio that presents significant visual content has another alternative form. Video should be provided with either an audio description or an alternative transcript. The alternative transcript must explain all the visual content part of the video. Having either the audio descriptions or the transcript will pass this success criterion.
Understanding WCAG conveys:
- Providing audio description of the video content: The audio description supplement’s information conveyed through actions, characters, scene changes, and on-screen text available during the dialog pauses and which is conveyed only through visuals. Eg: The advertisements on the television that says, Order our product through the telephone numbers displayed on the screen. This information must be spoken out so that the viewers with blindness and visual challenges too benefit.
- Providing the information available in the synchronized media in text form: This alternate for the time-based media provides the entire description of the synchronized media content not just restricted to the content during pauses like the audio description. Usually, full descriptions are provided of all visual information, including visual context, actions and expressions of actors, and any other visual material. In addition, non-speech sounds (laughter, off-screen voices, etc.) are described, and transcripts of all dialogue are included. The sequence of description and dialogue transcripts are the same as the sequence in the synchronized media itself. The alternate for the time-based media also takes care of the interactions in the synchronized media.
