Videos have audio descriptions

Users who are blind or have low vision cannot access purely visual information in a video — demonstrated workflows, screen interactions, on-screen text, or UI layouts are completely opaque without narration. WCAG 2.2 SC 1.2.5 (Audio Description — Prerecorded) is a Level AA requirement. For a product demo or tutorial video, the absence of audio description can make the core value proposition of a SaaS inaccessible to an entire segment of users.

Add an audio description track using <track kind="descriptions"> or provide a text transcript that includes time-coded visual descriptions.

<video controls>
  <source src="/product-demo.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
  <track kind="captions" src="/captions/demo-en.vtt" srclang="en" label="Captions" />
  <track kind="descriptions" src="/descriptions/demo-en.vtt" srclang="en" label="Audio descriptions" />
</video>

If audio description tracks are not feasible, publish a text transcript directly below the video that describes visual actions: "[0:12] The user clicks Settings in the top navigation. [0:15] The account panel slides in from the right." This satisfies WCAG 2.2 SC 1.2.3 as an alternative.

• ID: audio-description

• Severity: high

• What to look for: Enumerate every relevant item. Check for audio description tracks (<track kind="descriptions">) or a transcription link next to videos. Audio description narrates visual content so users who cannot see the video understand what is happening.

• Pass criteria: At least 1 of the following conditions is met. Videos with important visual content have an audio description track or an equivalent text transcript with visual descriptions.

• Fail criteria: Videos lack audio descriptions and no text transcript is provided.

• Skip (N/A) when: Videos contain no important visual information (e.g., interview-only, talking head).

• Detail on fail: Example: "Product demo video lacks audio description track — visual steps are not narrated for users with visual disabilities"

• Remediation: Add an audio description track:

  <video controls>
    <source src="/demo.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
    <track kind="descriptions" src="/descriptions.vtt" srclang="en" />
  </video>
  

  Or provide a detailed transcript below the video with time codes and descriptions of visual events.