Captions
Captions provide a text representation of spoken dialogue and non-speech audio information, synchronized with the audio and displayed in a media player when activated.
Multimedia
Under the DOJ's ADA Title II rule, audio and video content on state and local government websites and mobile apps must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Accessibility Requirements
| Content Type | Prerecorded | Live |
|---|---|---|
| Video with audio | Captions, plus audio description when important visual information is not already conveyed through the audio. | Captions |
| Video without audio | A text description or an audio track that provides equivalent information. | No additional alternative required under WCAG 2.1 AA |
| Audio only (e.g. podcasts) | A transcript or other equivalent text alternative. | No additional alternative required under WCAG 2.1 AA |
Audio Descriptions
Audio descriptions assist people who are blind or have low vision by narrating essential visual information needed to understand the content, including on-screen text like speaker names and titles. These descriptions are integrated into the video during editing to ensure synchronization with the visuals. In television, this service is often referred to as Descriptive Video Service (DVS).
Transcripts
Transcripts are a text version of the spoken content and any relevant non-speech audio information needed to understand the content. Transcripts should be in an accessible format (e.g., plain text or HTML).