WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

How to meet WCAG 1.1.1 for Time-Based Media

for

From: Shane Anderson
Date: Dec 13, 2016 8:52AM

Hello,

I'm looking for thoughts and insight on WCAG 1.1.1 as it refers to
"Time-Based Media". WCAG states: "If non-text content is time-based media,
then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the
non-text content."
https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#text-equiv

A problem occurs when trying to associate alternative text to an <audio> or
<video> element, for example, using aria-labelledby, title, or similar
attribute. Neither JAWS nor NVDA reads the associated text when the player
receives screen reader focus. However, Safari and VoiceOver in a desktop
environment reads the text fine and it seems very helpful.

My suggestion to developers is to associate descriptive text, which is also
in proximity to the media player, using aria-labelledby.

BUT... I need to make sure I'm not promoting an incorrect technique. There
seems to be a lack of documentation and none of the existing
advertised-accessible video players address the 1.1.1 requirement
programmatically, from what I can tell. I'm afraid I may be missing
something.

Is my advice sound? Or is there something about the checkpoint or elements
or the situation I should know that would suggest a better technique?

Thank you,
Shane Anderson