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Perceivable · Time-based Media

WCAG 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)

AAA only: when standard audio description cannot fit in the natural pauses of a video, an extended version pauses the video to fit longer descriptions.

1.2.7 Level AAA Added in WCAG 2.0 Needs manual review

Anton StewartAuthor
Reviewed against the W3C Understanding document
Illustration: a closed captions symbol, with WCAG 1.2.7 and Extended Audio Description
Table of contents

What WCAG 1.2.7 Requires

AAA only: when standard audio description cannot fit in the natural pauses of a video, an extended version pauses the video to fit longer descriptions.

How to Test It by Hand

For dialogue-dense video, check whether an extended audio-described version is offered.

Common Failures

  • A fast-paced video only has standard audio description that talks over dialogue or cuts descriptions short.

Testing WCAG 1.2.7 With AccessBell

This criterion depends on meaning or context, so it needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it is not missed.

Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WCAG 1.2.7 require?

AAA only: when standard audio description cannot fit in the natural pauses of a video, an extended version pauses the video to fit longer descriptions.

Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.2.7 automatically?

Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.

What level is WCAG 1.2.7?

Level AAA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AAA is the highest, most demanding conformance level in WCAG.

Sources

This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.

About the Author

Anton StewartAuthor

Contributor, AccessBell

Anton Stewart writes and reviews accessibility guides for the AccessBell blog, checked against the W3C standards and other primary sources.

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