The criteria are separate for a reason

For prerecorded synchronized media, WCAG 2.2 addresses captions and visual description through different success criteria. Captions cover spoken and meaningful audio information. Audio description covers important visual information not already available in the soundtrack.

  • 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded), Level A: captions are provided for prerecorded audio in synchronized media, subject to the stated exception.
  • 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded), Level A: an alternative for time-based media or audio description is provided for prerecorded video, subject to the stated exception.
  • 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded), Level AA: audio description is provided for prerecorded video in synchronized media, subject to the stated exception.
  • 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded), Level AAA: extended description is provided when pauses are insufficient for the necessary description, subject to the stated exception.

Read the normative wording in WCAG 2.2 Time-based Media before making a conformance decision.

What to review in the finished video

  1. All essential visual information is available without sight.
  2. Description does not unnecessarily repeat the soundtrack.
  3. Speech remains complete and intelligible.
  4. Purposeful on-screen text is communicated.
  5. The described version or track is easy to find and operate.
  6. Captions are accurate, synchronized, and available on the original video.

Software does not issue conformance

A generator can identify scenes, draft narration, synthesize speech, and render media. It cannot decide every question of applicability or certify an entire page, player, process, or organization. Review the content, test the player, and document the method used.

Use the right form of description

Prefer integrated description written into the main narration when the video is still in production. Use standard AD when gaps are sufficient. Use extended AD when critical information genuinely cannot fit. The W3C media guidance gives practical background on description methods.

VoxDescribe supports standard and extended output workflows, separate caption and AD editing, and four downloadable formats. See how the files fit together.