Goal
Provide sign language interpretation for deaf users whose primary language is sign language.
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1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Level AA
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1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Level AAA
Success Criterion · WCAG 1.2.6
Sign Language (Prerecorded)
Sign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.
Level AAAWCAG 2.0Perceivable1.2 · Time-based Media
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What to do
Include sign language interpretation for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.
Why it matters
Many deaf individuals are more fluent in sign language than written text, making captions alone insufficient for full comprehension.
Success criterion
What WCAG 1.2.6 requires
Summarized directly from the official Understanding document so teams can quote the requirement accurately.
Sign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.
Intent
Why WCAG created this requirement
- Sign language is a complete, natural language with its own grammar and syntax—not simply a visual representation of spoken language.
- Many deaf individuals, especially those deaf from birth, are more fluent in sign language than in written language.
- Captions alone may not provide equivalent access for users whose reading proficiency is limited due to sign language being their first language.
- Sign language interpretation captures nuances, emotions, and tone that may be difficult to convey in text captions.
Benefits
Who gains when you pass
- Deaf individuals whose primary language is sign language can access content in their native language.
- People who learned sign language as their first language often find it easier to comprehend than reading text.
- Sign language conveys emotional tone, emphasis, and linguistic nuances more effectively than text for native signers.
- Children who are deaf and still developing reading skills can access video content through sign language.
- Sign language interpretation provides a more complete communication experience, including facial expressions and body language.
Why it matters
User impact when this criterion fails
Summaries drawn from the Understanding document help you socialize impact statements with product stakeholders.
Without sign language interpretation, deaf users whose primary language is sign language must rely on captions in what is essentially a second language.
Complex or nuanced content may be misunderstood when accessed only through written captions.
Deaf children and those with lower reading proficiency may be unable to access video content effectively.
The emotional and tonal content of audio is lost when only text captions are available.
Overview
All prerecorded videos with audio should include sign language interpretation—a video of an interpreter signing the audio content synchronized with the main video. This Level AAA criterion recognizes that for many deaf individuals, sign language is their primary language, and reading captions in a second language (written English, for example) can be challenging. Sign language interpretation provides a more natural and complete communication experience for these users.
- Sign language interpretation should be synchronized with the audio content.
- The interpreter video should be large enough to clearly see hand movements and facial expressions.
- Different regions use different sign languages (ASL, BSL, Auslan, etc.)—consider your audience.
- Professional sign language interpreters should be used for accuracy and fluency.
- The interpreter should be visible throughout the audio content, not just during dialogue.
Reference: All summaries and highlights originate from Understanding WCAG 1.2.6 and the W3C quick reference.
Fast facts
- Conformance level
- Level AAA
- WCAG version introduced
- WCAG 2.0
- Principle
- Perceivable
- Guideline
- 1.2 · Time-based Media
Examples
Make success tangible for teams
Share pass/fail snapshots to coach designers, engineers, QA, and content authors.
Educational video
Pass
A training video includes a picture-in-picture window showing an ASL interpreter signing all spoken content, clearly visible in the corner of the screen.
Fail
A training video only has captions, with no sign language interpretation option for deaf users who are more fluent in ASL.
Corporate announcement
Pass
A CEO announcement video offers a separate version with BSL interpretation displayed side-by-side with the main video.
Fail
An important company video is released with auto-generated captions only, excluding employees whose primary language is sign language.
Government information
Pass
A public health video includes Auslan interpretation with the interpreter shown at a size where hand shapes and facial expressions are clearly visible.
Fail
A government PSA has a tiny interpreter window in the corner that is too small to clearly see the signing.
Product tutorial
Pass
An e-learning platform offers sign language interpreted versions of all tutorial videos, with users able to choose their preferred sign language.
Fail
Tutorial videos provide detailed captions but no sign language option, limiting access for deaf users who struggle with written content.
Evidence to keep
Document conformance decisions
Capture artifacts for VPATs, procurement reviews, and regression testing.
- Document which sign language(s) interpretations are provided (ASL, BSL, etc.).
- Maintain records of interpreter qualifications and credentials.
- Store interpretation video files alongside main video assets.
- Document the interpretation workflow: booking interpreters, recording, integration.
- Track user feedback from the deaf community on interpretation quality.
- Keep evidence of interpretation availability (screenshots, user flows).
Official resources
Deep dives and supporting material
Keep these links handy when writing acceptance criteria or responding to audits.
Understanding 1.2.6
Official W3C interpretation, techniques, and intent for Sign Language (Prerecorded).
Quick Reference 1.2.6
Filterable list of sufficient techniques and failures.
Technique G54
Including a sign language interpreter in the video stream.
Technique G81
Providing a synchronized video of the sign language interpreter that can be displayed in a different viewport or overlaid on the image.
World Federation of the Deaf
International organization promoting sign language rights and deaf accessibility.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Professional organization for sign language interpreters with certification standards.
Implementation checklist
Capture progress and blockers
- Identify all prerecorded synchronized media that contains audio.
- Engage professional sign language interpreters fluent in the appropriate sign language for your audience.
- Record the interpretation with the interpreter clearly visible (adequate lighting, contrasting background).
- Synchronize the interpretation video with the main content.
- Ensure the interpreter video is large enough to see hand shapes, movements, and facial expressions clearly.
- Provide a way to display the sign language interpretation (picture-in-picture, separate video, side-by-side).
- Consider providing interpretations in multiple sign languages if serving international audiences.
- Test with deaf users who are native sign language users to verify quality and comprehension.
Testing ideas
Prove conformance with evidence
- Verify sign language interpretation is available for all prerecorded synchronized media.
- Check that the interpretation is synchronized with the audio content.
- Ensure the interpreter video is clearly visible and large enough to understand.
- Verify the interpreter is visible throughout all audio content.
- Check video quality: lighting, background contrast, frame rate.
- If possible, have native sign language users review the interpretation for accuracy and fluency.
- Test the mechanism to enable/display the sign language interpretation.
- Verify interpretation is provided by a qualified professional interpreter.
Related success criteria
More from Time-based Media (1.2)
WCAG 1.2.1Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)Level AWCAG 1.2.2Captions (Prerecorded)Level AWCAG 1.2.3Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)Level AWCAG 1.2.4Captions (Live)Level AAWCAG 1.2.5Audio Description (Prerecorded)Level AAWCAG 1.2.7Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)Level AAAWCAG 1.2.8Media Alternative (Prerecorded)Level AAAWCAG 1.2.9Audio-only (Live)Level AAA