Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.6 [Audio Description (Extended)]
1.2.6 Extended audio description of video is provided for prerecorded synchronized media. (Level AAA)
Intent of this Success Criterion
The intent of this success criterion is to provide people who are blind or visually impaired access to a synchronized media presentation beyond that which can be provided by standard audio description. This is done by periodically freezing the synchronized media presentation and playing additional audio description. The synchronized media presentation is then resumed.
Because it disrupts viewing for those who do not need the additional description, techniques that allow you to turn the feature on and off are often provided. Alternately, versions with and without the additional description can be provided.
Specific Benefits of Success Criterion 1.2.6:
People who are blind, people with low vision who cannot see the screen, as well as those with cognitive limitations who have difficulty interpreting visually what is happening, often use audio description of the visual information. However, if there is too much dialogue the audio description is insufficient. Extended audio description can provide the additional information they needed to understand the video.
Examples of Success Criterion 1.2.6
Example 1. Video of a lecture. A physics professor is giving a lecture. He makes freehand sketches on the whiteboard, speaking rapidly as he draws. As soon as he has finished discussing one problem, he erases the drawing and makes another sketch while continuing to speak and gesture with his other hand. The video is paused between problems, and extended audio description of the professor’s drawings and gestures is provided; the video is then resumed.
Related Resources
Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.
Techniques and Failures for Success Criterion 1.2.6 [Audio Description (Extended)]
Each numbered item in this section represents a technique or combination of techniques that the WCAG Working Group deems sufficient for meeting this success criterion. The techniques listed only satisfy the success criterion if all of the WCAG 2.0 conformance requirements have been met.
Sufficient Techniques
Providing a second version of the movie with extended audio descriptions during halted video segments (future link)
G8: Creating an extended audio description for the synchronized media content using one of the following techniques
Common Failures Identified by the Working Group
The following are common mistakes that are considered failures of Success Criterion 1.2.6 by the WCAG Working Group.
(No failures currently documented)
Additional Techniques (Advisory) for 1.2.6
Although not required for conformance, the following additional techniques should be considered in order to make content more accessible. Not all techniques can be used or would be effective in all situations.
Adding extended audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 1.0 (future link)
Adding extended audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 2.0 (future link)
Key Terms
- extended audio description
audio description that is added to an audiovisual presentation by pausing the video so that there is time to add additional description
Note: This technique is only used when the sense of the video would be lost without the additional audio description.
- synchronized media
audio or video synchronized with another format for presenting information and/or with time-based interactive components