WCAG 1.2.5 — Audio Description (Prerecorded) — Level AA

Who Is Affected

Blind and low-vision users who cannot see visual elements in videos, including text overlays, charts, graphs, silent actions, scene changes, and other information conveyed only through sight.

What This Means

Audio description is a narration track that describes important visual information during natural pauses in dialogue or audio. This includes text that appears on screen, speaker identification when not obvious, visual actions, scene settings, costume changes, and graphic elements like charts or maps.

Unlike captions (which show what's being said), audio description explains what's being shown. It allows blind users to understand the complete context and meaning of video content.

Common scenarios requiring audio description:

• Training videos with on-screen text or demonstrations
• City council meetings with presentation slides
• Public safety videos showing emergency procedures
• Educational content with charts, graphs, or visual examples

Fix: Content Editor

Option 1: Separate Audio Description Track

1. Review your video and identify visual elements that aren't explained in the original audio (text overlays, charts, silent actions, scene changes).
2. Write a script describing these elements, timing descriptions to fit natural pauses in dialogue.
3. Record the audio description as a separate track using free tools like Audacity.
4. Upload both the original video and audio-described version to your video platform.
5. Clearly label the audio-described version and provide links to both versions.

Option 2: Integrated Audio Description

1. For new videos, incorporate visual descriptions directly into the narrator's script.
2. Have the speaker naturally describe what's shown: "As you can see in this pie chart showing 60% approval..." instead of just "As you can see in this chart..."
3. Ensure speakers identify themselves when multiple people appear on screen.
4. Describe key visual actions: "The firefighter demonstrates putting on the oxygen mask..."

Option 3: YouTube Audio Description

1. Upload your video to YouTube (if allowed by your organization's policy).
2. Use YouTube's audio description features in Creator Studio.
3. Add descriptions timed to natural pauses in your content.
4. Embed the YouTube video with audio description enabled by default.

Fix: CMS / Theme

If your organization produces videos regularly:

1. Establish an audio description workflow for all video content before publication.
2. Train content creators to write visual descriptions during video planning.
3. Create template language for common scenarios (introducing speakers, describing charts, etc.).
4. In WordPress, use accessibility-friendly video plugins that support multiple audio tracks.
5. In Joomla, ensure your media component can handle multiple video versions or audio tracks.

Standard Reference

WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.2.5 — Audio Description (Prerecorded), Level AA

Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.

• W3C Understanding SC 1.2.5
• WCAG Technique G78 — Audio description track
• WCAG Technique G173 — Audio description in separate file
• WCAG Technique G8 — Audio description integrated in soundtrack
• WCAG Failure F74 — Audio description missing