Understanding WCAG SC 1.2.2 Captions for Prerecorded Content
Version and Level: 2.0/2.1/2.2 (Level A)

WCAG SC 1.2.2 emphasizes the inclusion of captions for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.

Benefits:

  1. Captions for Accessibility: Captions aid users who are deaf, hard of hearing in comprehending audio content.
  2. Inclusive Captioning: Providing captions ensures that all users, regardless of their auditory abilities, can access and understand the video content.

Main Objective:

The primary goal of SC 1.2.2 is to ensure that captions are available for all prerecorded audio content within synchronized media.

Best Practices:

  • Captions for Prerecorded Videos: Provide captions for prerecorded videos with audio to aid users with auditory impairments.

  • Captions Inclusion: Include captions for videos containing audio elements such as dialogues and sound clues that convey essential information.

  • Clarity in Captioning: Ensure captions cover not only dialogue but also speaker identification and non-speech information conveyed through sound, like audience reactions or characters' expressions.

  • Exceptions: Videos serving as alternatives for text content may not require captions.

Examples & Explanation:

Interactive Captioning: The college ensures accessibility for hearing-impaired users by providing captions and instructions for enabling them on all their interactive educational programs. The captions are incorporating visual cues such as laughs, background audio etc.

What Should Be Avoided

HTML/CSS

              <video controls poster="/images/video1_poster.jpg">
                <source src="video1.mp4" type="video/mp4">
                <source src="video1.webm" type="video/webm">
              </video>

Explanation:The code above embeds an HTML video without including an additional track for captions.

What Should Be Done

HTML/CSS

              <video controls poster="/images/video2_poster.jpg">
                <source src="video2.mp4" type="video/mp4">
                <source src="video2.webm" type="video/webm">
                <track kind="captions" 
                src="video2_captions_en.vtt" srclang="en" label="English Captions">
              </video>

Explanation: The updated code includes the element, which adds an additional track for captions synchronized with the video. The captions are provided in English with the label "English Captions".

Next Up

Explore SC 1.2.3 - Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded). Learn to provide accessible alternatives for your media content.

Go to SC 1.2.3