WCAG 1.2.1: How to Fix Audio-only and Video-only Content

What This Criterion Requires

WCAG 1.2.1 requires that prerecorded audio-only content has a text transcript and prerecorded video-only content has either a text alternative or an audio track that describes the visual information. Audio-only content includes podcasts, recorded speeches, and audio clips where no video component is present. Video-only content includes silent animations, instructional demonstrations without narration, and surveillance footage. The text transcript for audio must capture all spoken words, identify speakers, and describe relevant non-speech sounds such as applause or music. For video-only content, the descriptive alternative must convey all meaningful visual information including actions, settings, on-screen text, and any changes that occur over time. This criterion ensures that users who cannot hear audio or see video can still access the information conveyed by these media types through alternative formats.

Why It Matters

Users who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot access information presented in audio-only formats such as podcasts or voice recordings without a text transcript. Similarly, users who are blind or have low vision cannot perceive information in silent video content without a descriptive text alternative or audio description. Text transcripts also benefit users in noisy environments who cannot listen to audio, users in quiet settings where playing audio is not appropriate, non-native speakers who find reading easier than listening, and users with cognitive disabilities who process information better in written form. Search engines also cannot index audio or video content directly, so providing text alternatives improves discoverability. Without these alternatives, significant portions of content become completely inaccessible to users who rely on a single sensory channel to consume media.

Common Failures and How to Fix Them

<h2>Episode 12: Web Accessibility Best Practices</h2>
<audio controls src="/podcasts/episode-12.mp3"></audio>
<p>Listen to our latest episode about accessibility.</p>

<h2>Episode 12: Web Accessibility Best Practices</h2>
<audio controls src="/podcasts/episode-12.mp3"></audio>
<details>
  <summary>Read full transcript</summary>
  <div class="transcript">
    <p><strong>Host:</strong> Welcome to episode 12. Today we discuss web accessibility best practices.</p>
    <p><strong>Guest:</strong> Thanks for having me. Let me start with the most common issues we see...</p>
  </div>
</details>

<h2>How to Configure Your Dashboard</h2>
<video controls src="/videos/dashboard-setup.mp4"></video>

<h2>How to Configure Your Dashboard</h2>
<video controls src="/videos/dashboard-setup.mp4"></video>
<div class="video-text-alternative">
  <h3>Text description of video</h3>
  <ol>
    <li>Open the Settings panel by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.</li>
    <li>Select "Dashboard Layout" from the left sidebar menu.</li>
    <li>Drag widgets from the available widgets panel into your preferred positions on the grid.</li>
    <li>Click "Save Layout" to apply your changes.</li>
  </ol>
</div>

How to Test

1. Identify all audio-only content (podcasts, audio clips, recordings) on the page and verify that each has a text transcript that captures all spoken content and relevant non-speech sounds.
2. Identify all video-only content (silent animations, demonstrations) and verify that each has a descriptive text alternative or an audio description track.
3. Compare the transcript or text alternative to the actual media content to ensure accuracy and completeness, including speaker identification and descriptions of relevant sounds or actions.
4. Check that the transcript or alternative is located near the media element and is easy to find, either inline or via a clearly labeled link.

CMS-Specific Guidance

This criterion commonly causes issues on these platforms:

• Wordpress Accessibility Checklist
• Shopify Accessibility Checklist
• Squarespace Accessibility Checklist
• Wix Accessibility Checklist
• Webflow Accessibility Checklist

Further Reading

• Video Accessibility Captions Guide
• Wcag Explained Plain English
• Alt Text Guide

Related WCAG Criteria

• WCAG 1.1.1
• WCAG 1.2.2
• WCAG 1.2.3