WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: transcription of audio

for

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Nov 5, 2018 8:08AM

> , I would swap 1.2.5 to AAA and 1.2.8 to Level AA, essentially requiring transcripts at AA and requiring audio descriptions (if necessary) at AAA.

I respectfully disagree that audio description should be at Level AAA. Synchronized audio descriptions whether added in the pauses or are written into the narration are as important as captions. Most if not all videos include valuable visual details that are important for users with visual impairments to access. An alternative that is separate is not an equivalent experience.

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
Level Access
<EMAIL REMOVED>
703.637.8957 office

Visit us online:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Blog

Looking to boost your accessibility knowledge? Check out our free webinars!

The information contained in this transmission may be attorney privileged and/or confidential information intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.


-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Jared Smith
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2018 9:58 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] transcription of audio

> I have just looked through the WCAG 2.1 guidelines and I did not find any SC
> for transcription of Video with Audio. Is this a part of WCAG or not?

The media requirements of WCAG are difficult to understand because of
the odd and confusing terminology. The term "transcript" does not
appear in WCAG. A transcript is, very literally, only the verbatim
version of spoken content. WCAG instead uses the phrase "alternative
for time-based media" to describe the document that presents any
spoken content, content presented only via audio (explosions,
laughter, background music, etc., if they are relevant), or content
presented only via visuals in the media. I typically use the phrase
"descriptive transcript" to explain what this thing is.

Under 1.2.1 (Level A), if you have audio-only content (e.g., an MP3
file or podcast) or video-only content (a video without any spoken
content), then you must provide a descriptive transcript.

Under 1.2.3 (Level A), for multimedia content that presents any
visual-only content, you must provide EITHER a descriptive transcript
or audio description. This is in addition to captions. Because a
transcript is necessary to generate captions, most would provide a
transcript here. However, if there is no visual-only content, then you
don't have to provide either.

Under 1.2.5 (Level AA), you must provide audio description for
multimedia content. As above, this is only necessary if the media has
any visual-only content. This essentially supersedes 1.2.3 above.

In summary, you are not required to provide a transcript for WCAG AA
conformance.

Under 1.2.8 (Level AAA), you must provide a descriptive transcript for
multimedia content.

Because of the numerous and significant benefits of transcripts, we
recommend them for all audio and multimedia content. I believe the
WCAG structure above does not adequately meet the needs of users with
disabilities. If I could restructure things, I would swap 1.2.5 to AAA
and 1.2.8 to Level AA, essentially requiring transcripts at AA and
requiring audio descriptions (if necessary) at AAA.

Thanks,

Jared