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Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.
Every video with audio content on your website must include synchronized captions that provide equivalent access to all audio information. Captions are not just subtitles - they include dialogue, sound effects, music, and other important audio cues.
Spoken Dialogue:
Every word spoken by every person in the video
Sound Effects:
[applause], [phone rings], [door closes], [laughter]
Speaker Identification:
Who is speaking when multiple people are present
Music & Atmosphere:
[upbeat music], [tense atmosphere], [music fades out]
Accurate Timing:
Captions appear exactly when words are spoken
Readable Format:
Clear fonts, high contrast, appropriate size
Complete Information:
No important audio information is missing
User Control:
Users can turn captions on/off as needed
Ensures deaf and hard of hearing users can fully participate in video content, breaking down communication barriers and promoting inclusion.
Benefits users in noisy environments, non-native speakers, and those who prefer reading along with audio for better comprehension.
Caption text is indexed by search engines, improving discoverability and making video content searchable by keywords.
When videos lack proper captions, it creates significant barriers for various user groups:
Users who cannot hear or have difficulty hearing video audio
Cannot access spoken content, dialogue, or important audio information in videos
Users in libraries, offices, public transport, or loud spaces
Cannot play audio or hear video content clearly due to environmental noise
Users who have difficulty processing auditory information
May struggle to understand speech or distinguish voices without visual text support
Users learning the language or with limited language proficiency
Written captions can help understand spoken language and learn pronunciation
Users on slow internet connections who may mute videos
May disable audio to save bandwidth but still need access to information
Users with ADHD or other attention-related challenges
Visual text can help maintain focus and comprehension alongside audio
Follow these steps to ensure all prerecorded videos have proper captions:
Audit all prerecorded videos on your website that contain audio content
Transcribe all spoken content and identify important audio elements
Create properly timed caption files that sync with video playback
Apply proper formatting, styling, and presentation guidelines
Add caption files to video players using proper HTML markup
Verify that captions provide complete and accurate information
Keep captions current and accurate as video content changes
Experience how video captions work and see the difference they make:
Toggle to simulate deaf/hard of hearing user experience
Accessibility Workshop Video
With Complete Captions
Welcome to our accessibility workshop.
0:00 - 0:03: Welcome to our accessibility workshop.
0:03 - 0:06: [Speaker]: Today we'll learn about video captions.
0:06 - 0:09: [Background music starts] Captions help deaf and hard of hearing users.
0:09 - 0:12: They also benefit users in noisy environments.
0:12 - 0:15: [Applause] Let's see how to implement them properly.
Product Demo Video
No Caption Support
Deaf and hard of hearing users cannot access any of the spoken content in this video.
Video file would be uploaded here