Perceivable / 1.2 Time-based Media

1.2.5Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Level AA

Prerecorded video must include audio description that explains visual-only information during pauses in dialogue. Unlike 1.2.3, a full text alternative can't substitute for this -- it's a stricter AA requirement. Video where the soundtrack alone already conveys the visual content, such as a talking-head interview, doesn't need extra description.

Note

A detailed commentary for this success criterion is not yet available. In the meantime, this page lists related patterns, techniques, and links to the normative sources.

Related Techniques

Specific implementation techniques for meeting this success criterion. This site doesn't include the full text, so follow the links to the original W3C documents.

Sufficient Techniques(9)

Show all (9)

Advisory Techniques(1)

H96: Using the track element to provide audio descriptions(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)

Failures(1)

F113: Failure of Success Criterion 1.2.5 due to not using available pauses in dialogue to provide audio descriptions of important visual content(opens in a new tab)

Normative References

Success Criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
Understanding Audio Description (Prerecorded) — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.