Captions (Live)
Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.
In plain language
Live video broadcasts (like a livestream or a live event) need real-time captions showing what's being said and heard.
Why it matters
Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers can't follow live audio at all. Without captions appearing as the event happens, they're completely shut out of live content that hearing viewers get in full.
In practice
Fails this criterion
A company livestreams a product launch with no captions at all — deaf viewers can watch people talk but have no idea what's being said.
Meets this criterion
The same livestream uses a live captioning service, so text of the spoken words appears on screen in near real time.
Test it yourself
Watch a live broadcast or livestream on the site with the sound off. Do captions appear as people speak? If there's no captioning at all during a live event, this criterion is failing.