Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Summary:
WCAG 1.2.5, "Audio Description (Prerecorded)," is about enhancing the accessibility of prerecorded video content for blind or visually impaired users by providing audio descriptions. This AA-level criterion is crucial for conveying visual information in videos through auditory means.
What:
This guideline mandates the inclusion of audio descriptions for all significant visual information in prerecorded video content. Audio descriptions narrate the essential visual elements that aren’t conveyed through the main audio, like actions, characters, scene changes, and on-screen text.
Why:
Audio descriptions bridge the gap for users who can't see the video content, ensuring they can fully understand and enjoy multimedia. It’s vital for inclusive access, allowing users with visual impairments to grasp the complete context of the video.
Examples and Scenarios:
- Educational Content: Including descriptions of visual aids or demonstrations in instructional videos.
- Entertainment Media: Providing audio descriptions of key visual scenes and character actions in movies or TV shows.
- Marketing Videos: Describing visual elements like product demonstrations or graphical data.
How to Comply:
- Websites: Embed audio descriptions within video content or provide a separate described version of the video.
- Mobile Apps: Ensure videos within the app come with audio descriptions, either integrated or as a separate track.
- Software Applications: Like websites, include audio descriptions in any prerecorded video content within the application.
Exceptions:
- Non-visual Information: If the video content is primarily auditory and the visual elements don’t add significant information.
- Live Videos: This criterion applies to prerecorded videos; live streams have different requirements.
- Brief or Minor Visual Content: Short videos or those with minimal visual content where the audio already conveys all necessary information.