Why Accessibility for Time-Based Media Matters
In the digital age, time-based media—such as videos, audio recordings, and live broadcasts—are integral to how we share information, tell stories, and connect with audiences. However, without proper accessibility measures, these media types can inadvertently exclude a significant portion of your audience, particularly those with disabilities.
Accessibility isn’t just a box to check off; it’s about ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities, can fully engage with your content. Whether it’s someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or someone with cognitive challenges, making your time-based media accessible means breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive experience for all. This is where WCAG 2.1 comes into play.
WCAG 2.1 provides guidelines specifically for making time-based media accessible. These guidelines cover various aspects, from providing captions for videos to offering text alternatives for audio content. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through each subsection of WCAG 2.1, explaining what’s required and offering practical examples to help you ensure your media content is compliant. Let’s explore these guidelines in detail.
1.2.1 Audio-Only and Video-Only (Pre-recorded)
The first guideline under WCAG 2.1 addresses pre-recorded media that consists solely of audio or video. The principle here is straightforward: if your content is only audio or only video, you need to provide an alternative format that allows users with disabilities to access the information.
For audio-only content, this means offering a text transcript. A transcript should capture not only the spoken words but also any relevant sounds that convey meaning. For example, if you have a podcast episode on your website, you should include a complete transcript below the audio player. This transcript should detail everything said during the episode, along with any significant sounds, like music cues or background noises that add context to the conversation.
When it comes to video-only content—videos that do not have any accompanying audio—you should provide a text description that narrates the visual content. Imagine you have a video on your site that showcases a series of images or a silent film. A detailed text description should be included, explaining what each image depicts or what is happening in the video. This way, users who cannot see the video can still understand the content.
1.2.2 Captions (Pre-recorded)
Captions are crucial for making video content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Under WCAG 2.1, any pre-recorded video that contains audio must have captions. Captions not only include the spoken dialogue but also describe other important sounds that provide context, such as music, laughter, or sound effects.
Consider a scenario where you’re producing a tutorial video. To comply with this guideline, you would need to ensure that captions are included throughout the video. These captions should be accurate and time-synchronized with the video, appearing on the screen as the corresponding words are spoken or as significant sounds occur. For instance, if a doorbell rings in the video, the captions should reflect that sound, indicating "[doorbell rings]" on the screen.
Captions are more than just a courtesy; they make your content accessible to a broader audience, including those who might be in a noisy environment or who simply prefer reading along.
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)
For pre-recorded video content, WCAG 2.1 requires you to provide either an audio description or a media alternative. This guideline is particularly important for individuals who are blind or have low vision, as it ensures they can access the visual information presented in the video.
An audio description is an additional audio track that narrates the visual elements of the video, describing key actions, settings, and characters for those who cannot see them. For example, imagine you’re producing a cooking video. The audio description would narrate what the chef is doing with the ingredients—perhaps explaining that the chef is chopping onions or stirring a pot—during moments when there is no spoken dialogue.
If creating an audio description is not feasible, you can provide a media alternative, such as a detailed text description of the video’s visual content. This description should include all the visual information necessary to understand the video. In the case of the cooking video, a text alternative might describe the setting, the actions of the chef, and any visual cues that are critical to understanding the recipe.
Providing these alternatives ensures that your content is accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to see the video.
1.2.4 Captions (Live)
Live video content presents unique challenges when it comes to accessibility, especially for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. WCAG 2.1 addresses this by requiring that live video content with audio be accompanied by live captions. This means that as your video is broadcasted, captions must be generated in real-time, reflecting everything that is being said and any important sounds.
Live captioning can be achieved through various services and software designed specifically for this purpose. These tools automatically transcribe spoken words into text and display them on the screen as captions, ensuring that all viewers can follow along with the content as it happens. Here are some popular captioning services and software that can help you comply with this guideline:
1. Rev Live Captions: Rev offers real-time captioning services for live events, webinars, and more. With a team of professional transcribers, Rev ensures that your live content is captioned accurately and quickly. You can integrate their services with popular streaming platforms to provide seamless live captions.
2. Otter.ai: Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription service that offers live captioning capabilities. It’s particularly popular for meetings, webinars, and live streams. Otter.ai provides real-time captions that are both accurate and easy to integrate into your live content.
3. StreamText: StreamText is another robust solution for live captioning, supporting integration with various video platforms and offering high-quality, real-time captions. It’s a go-to service for many organizations looking to make their live content accessible.
4. Zoom Live Transcription: If you’re hosting webinars or meetings via Zoom, their built-in live transcription feature is a convenient option. Zoom provides automatic captions during live sessions, making it easy to ensure your content is accessible.
5. Web Captioner: Web Captioner is a free, browser-based solution for live captioning. It’s simple to use and integrates well with various live streaming platforms, making it an accessible choice for individuals and small organizations.
By utilizing one of these captioning services or software options, you can ensure that your live content is accessible to all viewers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Live captions should be accurate, timely, and synchronized with the audio, reflecting the spoken words and significant sounds as they happen. While live captioning might seem complex, these tools make it manageable and help you meet accessibility standards effectively.
Implementing live captions not only helps you comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines but also broadens your audience by making your content accessible to everyone.
1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-recorded)
Building on the requirements of 1.2.3, this section mandates the provision of an audio description for pre-recorded video content. This guideline is about ensuring that all visual information in the video is conveyed to users who cannot see it.
An audio description should be an integral part of your video production process. For example, if your company releases a commercial, you should include an audio description that explains the visual elements, such as the setting, actions, and any on-screen text. The audio description should be synchronized with the video, fitting into the natural pauses in the dialogue or narration.
By including an audio description, you’re ensuring that users who are blind or have low vision can fully experience your video content. This is not just a requirement; it’s a way to make your media truly inclusive.
1.2.6 Sign Language (Pre-recorded)
These are guidelines for making pre-recorded video content accessible to users who communicate primarily through sign language. At the AAA level of accessibility, this guideline requires the inclusion of sign language interpretation for pre-recorded videos.
This can be achieved by either incorporating a sign language interpreter into the video or providing a separate sign language version of the content. For instance, if you’re producing a training video, you might include a sign language interpreter who appears in the corner of the screen, signing the dialogue as it is spoken. Alternatively, you could offer a separate version of the video where all the spoken content is presented in sign language.
Including sign language interpretation is a powerful way to make your content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly those for whom sign language is the primary means of communication.
1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Pre-recorded)
Some videos contain complex visual information that cannot be adequately described within the natural pauses of the audio track. In such cases, WCAG 2.1 requires the use of extended audio descriptions.
Extended audio descriptions involve pausing the video at intervals to allow for additional narration of the visual content. This is particularly useful for videos with rapid visual changes or intricate details that are crucial to understanding the content. For example, in a documentary that features a fast-paced montage of images, an extended audio description would provide a more detailed explanation of each visual element, pausing the video as needed to ensure that nothing is missed.
Implementing extended audio descriptions can be a more involved process, but it’s essential for ensuring that your content is fully accessible to all users.
1.2.8 Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)
In addition to providing audio descriptions, WCAG 2.1 also requires a complete text alternative for pre-recorded media. This guideline ensures that users who cannot access the audio or visual elements of your content can still understand the information.
A media alternative is a comprehensive text document that describes both the audio and visual components of the video. For instance, if you have a promotional video on your site, the text alternative should include the full script of the audio, descriptions of the visuals, and any relevant sound effects. This text document should be detailed enough that users can get the same information from reading it as they would from watching and listening to the video.
Providing a media alternative is a key step in making your content accessible to everyone, including those who may not be able to access the media in its original format.
1.2.9 Audio-Only (Live)
Finally, WCAG 2.1 addresses the accessibility of live audio-only content. If you’re broadcasting live audio, such as a radio show or a live podcast, you need to provide a text alternative that conveys the same information.
This can be achieved by offering a real-time transcript or a detailed outline of the content. For example, during a live radio broadcast, you could provide a running transcript of the conversation or an agenda that outlines the main topics of discussion. This ensures that users who cannot hear the audio can still follow along and understand the content being presented.
Providing a text alternative for live audio content is essential for making live broadcasts accessible to all users, regardless of their hearing abilities.
Conclusion: Make Your Media Accessible!
Ensuring that your time-based media is accessible is more than just a legal obligation; it’s about creating an inclusive and welcoming digital environment for all users. By following the guidelines outlined in WCAG 2.1, you can ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can engage with your content.
Whether it’s adding captions to videos, providing audio descriptions, or offering text alternatives, each step you take contributes to a more inclusive web. Accessibility doesn’t have to be daunting—it’s a commitment to making sure your content is available to everyone.
Ready to see if your website meets accessibility standards? Visit Look-See and start your accessibility audit today. Let’s work together to unlock the full potential of your content for all users. 🌟