1.2 Time-based Media · SC 1.2.1

A2 min read

Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

For prerecorded audio-only content, a text alternative is provided; for prerecorded video-only content, either a text alternative or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information, except when the audio or video is itself an alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.

In plain language

If you publish a recording that is audio only (like a podcast) or video only with no sound (like a silent demo clip), you need to provide a text version — a transcript, or for silent video, a narration describing what happens.

Why it matters

Someone who can't hear can't follow an audio-only recording, and someone who can't see can't follow a silent video. Without a text alternative (or narration for silent video), they miss the content entirely.

In practice

Fails this criterion

A podcast episode is published with no transcript at all. A deaf visitor has no way to know what was said.

Meets this criterion

The podcast has a link to a full text transcript. A silent product-demo video comes with a narrated audio track (or a written description) explaining what's shown on screen.

Test it yourself

Look for any audio-only or video-only (silent) content on the site. Check whether a text transcript or narrated description is provided alongside it.

Read SC 1.2.1 on the official WCAG 2.2 specification ↗