Essential content that is communicated visually in videos is also available as audio or text

Design Notes

Ensure all essential content that is communicated visually in videos is also available as audio or text

If you are using a video on its own (in other words, if you do not repeat the content elsewhere on the page), you should also provide a transcript. The transcript should include all the dialogue, relevant sound effects, and visual content.

If the video relies on visual content to convey information (for example, diagrams without a verbal description), it's best to include an audio description. This isn't essential but you should provide have a transcript.

W3C: Planning Audio Visual Content

Developer Notes

Ensure that the video player or page has a link (or similar) where users can access a transcript or audio description. This should be near the video content and accurately described.

Testing Notes

Text transcripts or audio descriptions are provided to accompany and therefore explain video content.

Steps to check — Transcript

Identify video content
Check if a transcript/audio description has been provided
If so, does transcript include: sound effects, music and other significant background sound (e.g. laughter) and identify different speakers
Is transcript easily accessible from the same content block as the video content
Is the transcript itself in an accessible format — such as well formatted HTML

Impact range: Medium - High

Test type: Manual