Requirements for videos on websites according to WCAG AA level

This article summarises which requirements videos on websites should meet according to WCAG AA level, and where you can look up the official specifications.

Which requirements apply?

The requirements for videos on websites according to WCAG AA level are explained in detail on the W3C website.

You can find further details in the official WCAG article: WCAG Video Guidelines

They include, among others:

• Captions for users with hearing impairments
• Audio descriptions for users with visual impairments
• Controls for accessible operation

These measures ensure that videos are accessible to all users.

Do video contents need to be offered as a text summary?

Yes, according to WCAG 1.2.1, an alternative must always be available for videos.

This alternative can be implemented in two forms:

• an audio track that sufficiently describes the content of the video, or
• a text alternative by means of a transcription

Implementing this in the interest of accessibility is therefore desirable – regardless of the legal minimum requirement.

You can find more on the specific implementation here:

• Format and inclusion of transcriptions