Audio-Only or Video-Only – Accessibility Guidelines
Table of Contents
Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) #
For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:
- Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content.
- Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.
Content/Design Considerations
- Audio-Only: Provide a text transcript for audio-only content.
- Video-Only or Silent Animation: Provide a text transcript or an audio track for video-only (without sound) content.
Development Considerations
- Provide a descriptive link to a text transcript or the audio track (for silent video/animation content) immediately after the audio-only or video-only content.
Audio Control #
If any audio on a web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.
Failure to meet this requirement could interfere with any use of the page. Refer to Requirement 5 – Non-Interference to learn more.
Content/Design Considerations
- Best Practice: Do not play any audio content automatically.
Development Considerations
- Best Practice: Ensure that a mechanism to control the content is easy to locate, is keyboard operable, and its purpose is clearly labelled.
Pause, Stop, Hide #
For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, ALL of the following are true:
- Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it, unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and
- Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it, or to control the frequency of the update, unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.
Failure to meet this requirement could interfere with any use of the page. Refer to Requirement 5 – Non-Interference to learn more.
Content/Design Considerations
- Best Practice: Do not use content that automatically moves, blinks, or scrolls.
- User must be able to configure auto-updates to content.