---
title: "Guideline 1.2 — Time-based Media"
description: "Guideline 1.2 (Time-based Media) requires alternatives for prerecorded and live audio and video content so that users who cannot hear or cannot see the media can still receive the same information ..."
---

# Guideline 1.2 — Time-based Media

Guideline 1.2 (Time-based Media) requires alternatives for prerecorded and live audio and video content so that users who cannot hear or cannot see the media can still receive the same information through captions, transcripts, audio description, or sign-language interpretation.

Source: W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Guideline 1.2, <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#time-based-media>.

## sc-1-2-1

**SC 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (Level A)**

For prerecorded audio-only media, provide a text transcript that conveys the same information. For prerecorded video-only media, provide either a text or audio alternative that conveys the equivalent information.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm a transcript is available adjacent to or linked from the audio-only player.
* Confirm video-only media has either a narrated audio track or a text description that captures the visual narrative.
* Confirm the transcript identifies speakers and describes meaningful non-speech sounds when present.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-2

**SC 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (Level A)**

Synchronised captions accompany all prerecorded audio content that is part of synchronised media, except when the media itself is a media alternative for text and is clearly labelled as such.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm captions are synchronised with speech, identify speakers, and capture meaningful non-speech audio.
* Confirm captions are an actual caption track (closed or open) rather than auto-generated speech-to-text without human review.
* Confirm caption playback controls are reachable by keyboard.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#captions-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-3

**SC 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level A)**

For prerecorded synchronised media, provide either an audio description of the video track or a full text alternative that conveys the same information as the combined audio plus video.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm either an audio-described version of the media is offered or a transcript that includes visual description is linked.
* Confirm the alternative covers actions, characters, scene changes, and on-screen text that are not in the dialogue.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#audio-description-or-media-alternative-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-4

**SC 1.2.4 Captions (Live) (Level AA)**

Synchronised captions accompany all live audio content delivered as part of synchronised media (for example, live webinars, town halls, and streaming events).

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm live captioning is staffed by a human captioner or a vetted real-time captioning service for any scheduled live event.
* Confirm captions are visible on the same surface as the video and remain legible against the underlying picture.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#captions-live>

## sc-1-2-5

**SC 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AA)**

Audio description of the video track is provided for all prerecorded synchronised media; a text-only alternative is no longer sufficient at Level AA.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm an audio-described track is offered either as the default audio or as a selectable secondary track.
* Confirm the audio description fits within natural pauses in the dialogue or that an extended description (SC 1.2.7) is offered.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#audio-description-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-6

**SC 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) (Level AAA)**

Sign-language interpretation accompanies prerecorded audio content in synchronised media.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm a sign-language interpreter video is offered in a regional sign language relevant to the audience.
* Confirm the interpreter window is large enough to read facial expressions and hand shape.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#sign-language-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-7

**SC 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AAA)**

Where pauses in foreground audio are insufficient for standard audio description, an extended audio-described version (pausing the video to allow description) is provided.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm the extended description pauses the video where needed and resumes synchronisation cleanly.
* Confirm a control is provided to skip or speed through extended descriptions for users who have already heard them.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#extended-audio-description-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-8

**SC 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level AAA)**

A full text alternative is provided for all prerecorded synchronised media and for prerecorded video-only media, covering both dialogue and visual content.

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm a full transcript is available that includes speaker tags, non-speech audio cues, and visual scene descriptions.
* Confirm the transcript is reachable from the same surface as the media.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#media-alternative-prerecorded>

## sc-1-2-9

**SC 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) (Level AAA)**

An alternative for live audio-only content that conveys equivalent information is provided (for example, a live human transcription or sign-language interpretation).

**Assessment heuristics**:

* Confirm live audio-only programmes (radio-style streams, telephony bridges) offer a real-time captioning or transcription channel.

Source: <https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#audio-only-live>