Understanding WCAG 2.0

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Audio Description (Extended):
Understanding SC 1.2.7

1.2.7 Audio Description (Extended): Extended audio description [begin delete]of video [end delete]is provided for [begin add]all[end add] prerecorded [begin add]video content in[end add] 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 1.2.7:

  • 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 1.2.7

Related Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

Techniques and Failures for Success Criterion 1.2.7 - 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

  1. Providing a second version of the movie with extended audio descriptions during halted video segments (future link)

  2. G8: Creating an extended audio description for the synchronized media content using one of the following techniques

Additional Techniques (Advisory) for 1.2.7

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)

Common Failures for SC 1.2.7

The following are common mistakes that are considered failures of Success Criterion 1.2.7 by the WCAG Working Group.

(No failures currently documented)

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[begin add] and the pauses between dialog/narration are too short [2549] [end add].

prerecorded

information that is not live [2393]

synchronized media

audio or video synchronized with another format for presenting information and/or with time-based interactive components[begin add], unless the media is a media alternative for text that is clearly labeled as such[end add] [2393]

video

the technology of moving or sequenced pictures or images [2393]

Note: Video can be made up of animated or photographic images, or both.