1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) (Level A)
High-Level Description
This success criterion ensures that users who cannot see the visual content in pre-recorded video have access to equivalent information through audio description or a full text alternative. This support users who are blind or visually impaired by conveyed essential visual context that is not communicated through dialogue alone.
Detailed Description
Applies to:
- All pre-recorded video that includes important visual information not explained in the audio.
- Videos that are not part of a live stream and are meant to convey meaning beyond what is said.
This allows:
- Blind or low-vision users to understand visual scenes, actions, or context.
- Users to access key content even when they can't view the screen.
- Equal access to information for people using screen readers.
Indicators of Non-Compliance:
- A training or promotional video with meaningful visuals but has no audio description.
- On-screen text or diagrams shown silently, with no narration or alternative.
- No descriptive transcript provided alongside the video.
Real World Examples
| Scenario | Non-Compliant | Compliant |
|---|---|---|
| A product demo video | Shows features visually but provides no narration or description. | Includes an audio description track explaining what is being shown. |
| A safety training module | Displays key steps only via on-screen animation. | Includes a narrated description or separate descriptive transcript. |
| A charity awareness video | Silent text and emotional scenes appear with music only. | Audio describes scenes or text alternative summarises visuals. |
| Instructional video on using software | Shows clicks and changes without audio explanation. | Narrator describes what's happening visually or description is added. |
Disability Impact
| Disability Group | Without Audio Description / Text Alternative | With Audio Description / Text Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Blind or Low Vision | Misses all critical visual content, such as actions and expressions. | Gains full context through narration or descriptive text. |
| Cognitive Disabilities | May not interpret visuals clearly or at all. | Alternative provides clarification and structure. |
| Learning Disabilities | Complex visual information may be hard to process unaided. | Audio or text support enhances understanding. |
| Screen Reader Users | Can't interact with video visuals. | Text alternative or description made available. |
Supporting Documentation
- WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.2.3 - Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)
- Techniques for WCAG 2.2: G69 – Providing an alternative for time-based media
- Techniques: G78 – Providing audio description
- Audio Description Basics – W3C WAI
Remediation Strategies
1 - Provide Audio Description
Include an additional audio track, or integrate into main track, describing key visual content not conveyed through dialogue. This should include actions, settings, and on screen text.
2 - Offer a Full Text Alternative
A descriptive transcript that includes both spoken words and descriptions of visuals can also meet this requirement.
3 - Use Accessible Video Players
Ensure your video player supports audio description tracks and that users can toggle them on/off easily.
4 - Collaborate During Production
Plan for audio descriptions during video scripting, not as an afterthought. This often reduces extra production effort.
Vially and Vision Ireland Notes
Vially regularly observe noncompliance with 1.2.3 across internal training videos, promotional pieces, and awareness campaigns. Vision Ireland's user testing panels confirm that the absence of audio description forces blind and low vision users to rely on incomplete dialogue or external assistance, leaving key messages inaccessible. At Vially, we advise organisations to treat audio description as the gold standard for high impact content, and to implement text transcripts as a fast, low cost fallback that can be added without rerecording footage.