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Perceivable · Time-based Media

WCAG 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

AAA only: prerecorded video needs a full text alternative (a complete script of dialogue and visual description) in addition to captions and audio description.

1.2.8 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 1.2.8 and Media Alternative
Table of contents

What WCAG 1.2.8 Requires

AAA only: prerecorded video needs a full text alternative (a complete script of dialogue and visual description) in addition to captions and audio description.

How to Test It by Hand

Look for a downloadable or linked full-text version of the video's content.

Common Failures

  • A captioned, audio-described video has no full text version for people who prefer reading.

Testing WCAG 1.2.8 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 1.2.8 require?

AAA only: prerecorded video needs a full text alternative (a complete script of dialogue and visual description) in addition to captions and audio description.

Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.2.8 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 1.2.8?

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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