Audio-only (Live)
An alternative for time-based media that presents equivalent information for live audio-only content is provided.
In plain language
Live audio-only broadcasts (like a live radio show) need a text alternative — real-time captions, a live transcript, or a prepared script — provided alongside them.
Why it matters
Deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners can't access a live audio broadcast at all without some form of text. Without it, they're completely excluded from live audio content that everyone else can hear as it happens.
In practice
Fails this criterion
A radio station streams a live news broadcast with no captions, transcript, or any text alternative — deaf listeners get nothing.
Meets this criterion
The same broadcast has a live stenographer producing real-time captions displayed alongside the audio stream.
Test it yourself
Find a live audio-only broadcast on the site. Is there a text alternative (live captions, transcript, or script) available alongside it? If not, this criterion is failing.