accessibility-guidelines

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Transcript for pre-recorded audio-only content

On this page:

• Summary
• Requirements
• More info

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Summary

For audio content that has no video (like a podcast), provide a transcript.

Audio-only content that communicates information (like a podcast) should have a text transcript.

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Requirements

• A text transcript is available (on the same page or on a page linked from the page containing the media) for any audio-only content (e.g. podcasts).

Common mistakes

• Audio-only content that communicates information does not have a text transcript;
• The text transcript for audio-only content does not include all spoken dialogue and sound effects;
• The text transcript for audio-only content is not clearly labelled as such.

Why?

This ensures that the information is available to people who cannot hear.

Official wording in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

1.2.1 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: (Level A)

• 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.

See the W3C’s detailed explanation of this guideline with techniques and examples.

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More info

Sources

• W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1
• Government Digital Service WCAG 2.1 Primer
• Barclays’ Accessibility Design Standards

Useful resources

• What are transcripts? on the Nomensa blog

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