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Re: Alt Text vs AD

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From: Steve Green
Date: Oct 13, 2022 4:14PM

You are talking about alternatives for the visual content of time-based media or synchronised media. It's a bit complicated because it depends on a number of factors.

If you have video-only media, either a text alternative or audio description will be sufficient to conform with WCAG SC 1.2.1 (level A).

If you have synchronised media, an audio description will provide conformance with WCAG SC 1.2.3 (level A) and SC 1.2.5 (level AA).

If you have synchronised media, a text alternative will provide conformance with WCAG SC 1.2.3 (level A) but in most cases it is not sufficient for SC 1.2.5 (level AA).

The exception to the previous case is if your synchronised media contains a single talking head with no relevant information in the background. In this case, a text alternative will provide conformance with WCAG SC 1.2.3 (level A) and SC 1.2.5 (level AA).

I am sure someone will let me know if I have missed any scenarios.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd