People who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, or are hard of hearing may not be able to see video content or hear its soundtracks. To make prerecorded videos accessible, provide a text version that includes everything shown and heard. This text alternative should convey the full experience of the video, allowing users to read it or access it through a braille display.
Example
A community centre posts a training video showing how to use a self-service ticketing kiosk installed in its lobby. In the video, a staff member explains each step while demonstrating actions on the touchscreen, such as selecting options, entering details, and confirming a request.
If the video is shared without a text alternative, people who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, or are hard of hearing cannot fully understand the instructions. They may miss important visual steps, spoken guidance, or both.
To make the video accessible, the community centre also provides a text alternative that describes what appears on the screen, explains each action being performed, and includes all spoken instructions. This allows users to read the content or access it using a braille display, ensuring they understand both what is being shown and what is being said.
WCAG Success Criterion
1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) – Level AAA
An alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronised media and for all prerecorded video-only content.
Time-based media refers to content that is presented over time, such as videos, audio recordings, animations, or any media where information is delivered through sound, visuals, or both as the content plays.
This means a full text version of the entire video, covering dialogue, sounds, visuals, and context, is available to users.
Why This Matters
A text alternative lets people who are deaf-blind, or who cannot rely on sight or hearing, access information in videos. They can use assistive technologies such as refreshable braille displays or screen readers to read the content at their own pace.
Unlike captions or audio descriptions, which add to a video, a media alternative is a complete replacement for it.
- Captions provide text for spoken dialogue and important sounds.
- Audio descriptions provide spoken explanations of visual information.
- Media alternatives provide a full written version of the entire experience, including dialogue, sounds, visuals, and context.
A media alternative can be read on its own, without watching or listening to the video, and still convey all of the information.
When You Should Use It
You should provide a text alternative when your prerecorded content includes:
- Spoken dialogue, narration, or background sounds.
- Important visuals such as gestures, diagrams, or actions.
- Any information that someone who cannot hear or see needs to understand.
This requirement applies to:
- Prerecorded synchronised media (video with sound).
- Prerecorded video-only media (video without sound).
What a Media Alternative Includes
A complete text alternative should contain:
- Dialogue: All spoken words or narration.
- Visual Descriptions: Scenes, settings, gestures, actions, facial expressions, and other important visuals.
- Non-Speech Sounds: Laughter, music, environmental sounds, or sound effects.
- Contextual Details: Visual cues that explain what’s happening or why it matters.
- Interactive Elements: If the video asks the user to respond (e.g., “click now to continue”), the text should include equivalent instructions or links.
How to Provide a Media Alternative
Here are a few methods to meet this success criterion:
- Link to a Full Text Description
Place a clearly labelled link, such as “Full Text Version” or “Transcript with Descriptions,” next to the video.
(Technique G58 + H53: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G58.html ) - Provide Inline Text Below the Video
Include the complete text version directly beneath or beside the video player. - Video-Only Media
If your video has no audio, include a full written explanation of what the visuals show. (Technique G159: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G159.html ) - . Accessible File Formats
Offer the text version in HTML or a downloadable accessible format (for example, .txt or .docx) that can be used with assistive technology.
Note: Technique references such as G159, H53, and G58 are WCAG-approved examples that show practical ways to meet a success criterion. They are not requirements, but recommended methods that demonstrate compliant implementations. Other techniques may also be acceptable if they achieve the same accessibility outcome.
Common Mistakes
- Missing visual details
Only including captions or dialogue transcripts without describing visuals. - Unlabeled links
Providing a transcript but not identifying it clearly as the alternative for time-based media. (Failure F74: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/F74.html ) - Partial coverage
Describing only key scenes or skipping sections of the video.
Good Practices
When creating a media alternative:
- Keep the structure and timing consistent with the video sequence.
- Write in plain, descriptive language.
- Make sure it’s easy to find, place it right next to the video or link prominently.
- Verify it works with screen readers and braille displays.
Ask yourself:
- Can someone who cannot hear or see the video fully understand it using only this text?
- Does the text include every sound and visual element that contributes meaning?
Relation to Other WCAG Criteria
- 1.2.3 (Audio Description or Media Alternative – Level A): You can provide either audio description or a full text alternative.
- 1.2.5 (Audio Description – Level AA): You must include audio description.
- 1.2.8 (Media Alternative – Level AAA): Adds a complete text version of the entire video content.
Wrapping Up
Media alternative provides a complete written version of everything presented in the video, allowing users to understand the content without watching or listening. When provided correctly, it ensures equal access to information and meets the highest level of accessibility conformance.
