Synchronized Media – Accessibility Guidelines
Table of Contents
Captions (Prerecorded) #
Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
Content/Design Considerations
- Provide the text caption files for time-based media.
- Review WebAIM captions for a description.
Development Considerations
- Associate multimedia files to caption files; label as captioned version.
Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) #
An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
**Please see 1.2.5 (below) for Section 508 conformance guidance, which requires audio description.**
Captions (Live) #
Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.
Content/Design Considerations
- Arrange for a caption provider to caption live events.
Development Considerations
- Provide a method to display captions for the live event.
Audio Description (Prerecorded) #
Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.
Content/Design Considerations
- Provide audio description track for time-based media.
- Audio descriptions are not necessary if all visual descriptions are provided with the sound track narration.
Development Considerations
- Associate multimedia files with audio description track; label as audio described version.
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
- Do not play any audio content automatically.
Development Considerations
- Ensure that mechanism to control the content is easy to locate, is keyboard operable, and is clearly labelled as to its purpose.
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.
- Auto-updates to content must be user configurable.
Section 508 Requirements for Synchronized Media #
503.4 User Controls for Captions and Audio Description. #
Where ICT displays video with synchronized audio, ICT shall provide user controls for closed captions and audio descriptions.
503.4.1 Caption Controls. #
Where user controls are provided for volume adjustment, ICT shall provide user controls for the selection of captions at the same menu level as the user controls for volume or program selection.
503.4.2 Audio Description Controls. #
Where user controls are provided for program selection, ICT shall provide user controls for the selection of audio descriptions at the same menu level as the user controls for volume or program selection.
Content/Design Considerations
- In designs show the media player with caption control (CC) and audio description control (AD) buttons visible along-side the other user controls.
Development Considerations
- Select a media player with caption controls and audio description controls that meet this requirement.