Captions (Pre-recorded) (1.2.2 – Level A)

‘Captions (Pre-recorded) requires captions for videos with audio.

Introduction

Users with hearing impairments may not be able to perceive the sound on a video. Presenting the video’s content in captions means these users can fully enjoy the content.

How to Pass ‘Captions (Pre-recorded)’

• Add captions to all videos with sound.
  
• Caption all spoken word.
  
• Identify speakers.
  
• Caption non-speech information (such as sound effects).
  

Exceptions

You don’t need to provide captions if the video is itself an alternative for text. For example, if everything in the video is provided in plain text on the page and the video is the same content but recorded in a video presentation.

‘Captions (Pre-recorded)’ Tips

Captions can be closed (hidden until requested) or open (always visible), either will pass this guideline.

There are plenty of paid services that will add captions to your videos, often at reasonable rates. There are also many free programs that will attempt to create your caption file for you, but none as good as human eyes and ears just yet. Like with many areas of web accessibility, your choice is between spending time (writing your own captions) or money (outsourcing).

If you use a lot of video, build the time into your workflow from the start. If you feel you don’t have the time for captions, consider cutting the number of videos you upload. One accessible video that all of your users can enjoy is better than two videos that alienate some of your audience.

See Also

• Non-text Content
• Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded)
• Captions (Live)
• Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.2 (W3C)