Goal
Provide a complete text alternative for all video content that captures everything conveyed through audio and visuals.
Success Criterion · WCAG 1.2.8
Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
An alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronized media and for all prerecorded video-only media.
Level AAAWCAG 2.0Perceivable1.2 · Time-based Media
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What to do
Create a full media alternative (like a screenplay or detailed transcript) that includes all dialogue, actions, and visual information.
Why it matters
Some users need content in text form that they can read at their own pace, translate, or access via braille.
Success criterion
What WCAG 1.2.8 requires
Summarized directly from the official Understanding document so teams can quote the requirement accurately.
An alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronized media and for all prerecorded video-only media.
Intent
Why WCAG created this requirement
- A media alternative provides access to video content for people who cannot perceive either the audio or visual components.
- Unlike captions (audio only) or audio descriptions (visuals only), this captures everything in one text document.
- Text alternatives can be read at the user's own pace, searched, translated, and converted to braille.
- This is particularly valuable for deafblind users who need all information in a readable text format.
Benefits
Who gains when you pass
- Deafblind users can access video content through braille displays or other assistive technology by reading the complete text alternative.
- Users who process information better through reading than watching/listening can access content in their preferred format.
- Text alternatives can be translated into other languages more easily than audio/video.
- Users can search within the text to find specific information without watching the entire video.
- The text can be accessed in low-bandwidth situations where video streaming is not possible.
- Text alternatives support better comprehension for users with cognitive disabilities who need to read at their own pace.
Why it matters
User impact when this criterion fails
Summaries drawn from the Understanding document help you socialize impact statements with product stakeholders.
Without a complete media alternative, deafblind users have no way to access video content.
Users who cannot watch videos (bandwidth, situational, or device limitations) miss all content.
Information becomes inaccessible to users who need to read at their own pace or review sections repeatedly.
Translation and localization of video content becomes more difficult without a text base.
Overview
All prerecorded video content must have a complete text-based media alternative that includes everything conveyed through both the audio track (dialogue, narration, sounds) and the visual track (actions, settings, expressions, on-screen text). This Level AAA criterion goes beyond captions and audio descriptions by requiring a comprehensive text document—essentially a screenplay or extended transcript—that allows users to access all video content in text form.
- The media alternative must include ALL information from both audio and visual tracks—not just dialogue.
- Describe actions, settings, character expressions, on-screen text, and any visual information essential to understanding.
- Format should be like a screenplay: dialogue attributed to speakers, with descriptions of visual elements in brackets or parentheses.
- Link the media alternative clearly adjacent to the video player so users can find it easily.
- This criterion applies to both synchronized media (video with audio) and video-only content.
Reference: All summaries and highlights originate from Understanding WCAG 1.2.8 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.
Training video
Pass
A training video has a linked "Full Text Version" that reads: "INSTRUCTOR (standing at whiteboard): Today we'll cover data security. [Instructor writes 'Encryption' on whiteboard] The first concept is encryption..."
Fail
A training video only has captions showing dialogue but no text document describing the visual demonstrations and whiteboard content.
Product demo
Pass
A product demo includes a downloadable PDF: "Scene 1: Dashboard overview. [Screen shows main dashboard with four widgets arranged in a 2x2 grid. Top-left: line chart labeled 'Sales Trends'...] NARRATOR: Welcome to the new dashboard..."
Fail
A product demo has audio descriptions but no complete text alternative for users who need everything in readable form.
Documentary
Pass
A documentary provides a complete transcript: "[Opening shot: Aerial view of rainforest canopy at sunrise. Birds calling in background.] NARRATOR: The Amazon rainforest covers over 5.5 million square kilometers..."
Fail
A documentary has captions for dialogue but no description of the extensive visual footage showing landscapes and wildlife.
Evidence to keep
Document conformance decisions
Capture artifacts for VPATs, procurement reviews, and regression testing.
- Maintain a video inventory with links to corresponding media alternatives.
- Document the format and style guide for creating media alternatives.
- Store media alternative documents alongside video files for easy maintenance.
- Track the creation workflow: who creates, reviews, and approves media alternatives.
- Keep evidence of media alternative availability (screenshots, links) for audits.
Official resources
Deep dives and supporting material
Keep these links handy when writing acceptance criteria or responding to audits.
Understanding 1.2.8
Official W3C interpretation, techniques, and intent for Media Alternative (Prerecorded).
Quick Reference 1.2.8
Filterable list of sufficient techniques and failures.
Technique G69
Providing an alternative for time-based media.
Technique G159
Providing an alternative for time-based media for video-only content.
Technique H53
Using the body of the object element.
Implementation checklist
Capture progress and blockers
- Identify all prerecorded video content (with or without audio) that requires a media alternative.
- Create a comprehensive text document including all dialogue with speaker identification.
- Add descriptions of all meaningful visual information: actions, settings, expressions, on-screen graphics and text.
- Include descriptions of meaningful sounds that are not dialogue (music, sound effects, ambient sounds).
- Format the document clearly with timestamps or scene markers for reference.
- Link the media alternative directly adjacent to the video player.
- Ensure the text document itself is accessible (proper structure, headings, can be read by screen readers).
- Review against the video to ensure nothing essential is missing.
Testing ideas
Prove conformance with evidence
- Identify all prerecorded video content on the site.
- Verify a media alternative (complete text version) is available for each video.
- Read the media alternative while watching the video to verify completeness.
- Check that all dialogue is included with proper speaker identification.
- Verify visual information is described: actions, settings, expressions, on-screen text.
- Confirm meaningful sounds are described.
- Test that the media alternative is linked clearly and can be found by users.
- Verify the text document is accessible to screen readers and properly structured.
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 1.2.6Sign Language (Prerecorded)Level AAAWCAG 1.2.7Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)Level AAAWCAG 1.2.9Audio-only (Live)Level AAA